JPH0420452Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (1) Industrial application field The present invention relates to a humidifier used to increase the water vapor content in gas. In particular, the present invention provides a medical humidifier used to humidify gas during gas inhalation during breathing assistance, artificial respiration, and the like.

(2) Prior art Heating humidifiers, spray humidifiers,
and drip type humidifiers are used, while underwater bubble type humidifiers are used for oxygen cylinders and the like. Such conventional humidifiers have high humidification accuracy when used for artificial respirators, but are complicated, while humidification accuracy is low when used for oxygen cylinders. Furthermore, oxygen concentrators and portable small cylinders used in home oxygen therapy, which have recently become popular, are required to have both practical humidification accuracy and easy operability.

(3) Purpose and structure of the invention The present invention solves the drawbacks of conventional humidifiers, has a simple structure, is easy to operate such as adding water, and has a humidifying ability that lasts for a long time. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that can be maintained with a certain degree of accuracy. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved humidification system particularly suitable for medical use.

As an effective means for achieving these objectives, it is possible to have a water retaining function member retain most of the water, and to position the open end of the gas introduction pipe inside the member where the water is retained. This is the headline that led us to this idea.

That is, the present invention comprises a bag-like container mainly made of a soft plastic sheet and having an engaging means at the upper end that can be opened and closed, a fiber aggregate housed substantially entirely within the bag-like container, leaving an upper space, and /or a water retention function member made of a porous material, a gas inflow conduit with an opening for gas inflow located substantially inside the water retention function member above and below, and a gas outflow conduit connected to the upper part of the container. It's a humidifier.

A more detailed explanation will be given below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a reference drawing, in which the container 1 is a box-shaped case, and a container lid 1b is attached to the upper end of the container body 1a via a sealing member, which is an engaging means 5 that can be opened and closed.
This is a certain aspect. Snaps, etc. (not shown)
The engagement may be assisted by The housing may be cylindrical and the lid may be engaged with a spiral groove. The housing-like container may be made of any material such as inorganic material, metal, or synthetic resin. Preferred are hard transparent synthetic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, and polysulfone, which allow the contents to be seen and are hygienic.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the container 1 is bag-shaped and has a fastener at the upper end, which is an engaging means 5 that can be opened and closed. The bag-like container is preferably made mainly of soft synthetic resin, and can be made of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyamide, etc., which allow the contents to be seen and are hygienic.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment having an engaging means 5a which can be opened and closed by folding back the upper end of the bag at least once, and a clip-like engaging auxiliary means. Further, a water droplet separation, dust removal, or sterilization filter 7 may be attached to the gas outflow conduit.

A water retention function member 2 is housed in the container 1,
It is ready for use while being filled with water. As the water-retaining function member, for example, fiber aggregates such as cotton, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, porous bodies such as spongy bodies, etc. can be used alone or in combination. Any solid material insoluble in water can be used as long as the material is hygienic. Generally, synthetic fiber cotton and/or synthetic resin sponge are used. Such a water retaining function member may be detachable and may be disposable for hygiene reasons.

In the humidifier of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening of the gas inflow conduit 3 is located substantially inside a water retaining functional member 2 housed in a container 1. The opening of the gas inflow conduit 3 may be located anywhere as long as it is substantially inside the water retaining function member, but it is preferably located at the lower part because it is easier to use all the filled water effectively. It should be noted that it is better to store the water retaining function member so that it spreads over the entire container as much as possible while leaving an upper space inside the container, so that the area where water can move freely when filled with water can be reduced.
Even when the humidifier is transported or tipped over, there is an advantage that the filled water is less likely to flow into the gas outflow conduit. The advantage is obtained by providing the opening of the gas inlet conduit substantially inside the water-retaining feature.

In this way, water is filled up to the upper end of the water retention function member 2 housed in the humidifier, and gas mainly composed of oxygen is introduced from the inflow conduit 3 and passes through the water retention function member to provide sufficient humidification. and exits into the upper space 6 of the container. Humidified gas is then supplied to the patient 30 from the gas outlet conduit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing how to use the humidifier of the present invention. Supply source 20 for oxygen gas, etc., humidifier 1
0, and patient 30 are shown.

The gas inlet conduit may be provided with means 21 for communicating with a source 20 of oxygen gas, such as an oxygen concentrator, compressed oxygen cylinder, and liquid oxygen jar or piping thereof. The gas outlet conduit may be provided with means 32 for communicating with a cannula 31 or a mask or the like on the patient side.

Humidifiers must be manufactured hygienically and may optionally be sterilized with ethylene oxide, autoclaved, or by radiation.

The humidifier of the present invention may be used for any purpose, but it is particularly useful for humidifying the gas together with oxygen gas cylinders, adsorption oxygen enrichers, etc. when supplying oxygen-enriched air to patients with respiratory diseases. It is useful as a so-called medical humidifier, such as for humidifying gas supplied to emergency patients, etc.
It can also be used to recover from fatigue during sports, or to humidify breathing oxygen in spaces different from the normal atmosphere, such as in submarines and airplanes.

(5) Effects of the invention Despite its simple structure, the humidifier of the invention can sufficiently humidify gas through the action of the water retention function member, and maintains a relative humidity of 60% or more, preferably 80% or more, for a specified period of time (the amount of water added). ) can be maintained. In addition, the humidification time will not be shortened due to excessive water droplets or excessive evaporation.

Furthermore, the humidifier of the present invention can be made portable, and in particular can be used with portable oxygen cylinders. It is preferable to use a soft bag-like container because it has impact resistance and provides a good fit even when packaged together with a cylinder.

[Example] When a medical sponge was used as the water retaining function member in a container configured as shown in Figure 2, 150 ml of distilled water was poured in and Japanese Pharmacy oxygen gas was flowed at 3/min. The relative humidity of the gas after humidification was 63%. and could be maintained for more than 9 hours.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

2 and 3 are perspective views of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing how to use the present invention.
Note that Figure 1 is a reference diagram. 1...Container, 2,...Water retention function member, 3...
Gas inflow conduit, 4...Gas outflow conduit, 5...Sealed and unsealable engagement means, 6...Space, 7...Filter, 10...Humidifier, 20...Gas supply source, 3
0...patient, 31...cannulation.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A bag-shaped container mainly made of a soft plastic sheet and having an engaging means at the upper end that can be opened and closed;
A water retention function member made of a fiber aggregate and/or a porous body is housed substantially entirely in the bag-like container with an upper space left, and an opening for gas inflow is located substantially above and below the water retention function member. A humidifier having a gas inlet conduit located inside and a gas outlet conduit connected to the top of the container.