SE530638C2 - Medical device for producing oxygen for treating patients comprises chamber having bed of agent constituted by reversibly oxygen-fixating agent; unit to provide first conditions; and unit to change first conditions to second conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical device (100) comprises chamber(s) (110) containing a bed of an agent; a unit for providing first conditions; and a unit for changing first conditions to second conditions. The device is configured to, during a charging phase, extract oxygen from air by, under first conditions, bringing air into contact with agent constituted by a reversibly oxygen-fixating agent, such that oxygen is adsorbed by agent, and to remove nitrogen under first conditions; and configured to, during a discharging phase, release oxygen from agent by change of first conditions to second conditions. A medical device (100) for producing oxygen comprises at least one chamber (110) arranged to contain a bed of agent, each having an air inlet (112) and a nitrogen outlet (114); a unit for providing first conditions, and a unit for changing the first conditions to second conditions. The device is configured to, during a charging phase, extract oxygen from air by, under the first conditions, bringing the air into contact with the agent constituted by a reversibly oxygen-fixating agent, i.e. an oxygen selective material, such that the oxygen of the air is adsorbed by the agent; and to remove nitrogen under the first conditions, and configured to, during a discharging phase, release the oxygen from the agent by means of changing the first conditions to the second conditions. The unit for providing first conditions comprises pressurizing device (e.g. compressor or fan) (116) and/or cooling device; and the unit for changing the first conditions to second conditions comprises depressurizing device (e.g. vacuum pump) (122) and/or heating device. An independent claim is included for producing oxygen involving during a charging phase, extracting oxygen from air by, under first conditions, bringing the air into contact with an agent constituted by a reversibly oxygen-fixating agent/adsorbent, i.e. an oxygen selective material, such that the oxygen of the air is adsorbed by the agent; and removing the nitrogen of the air; and during a discharging phase, releasing the adsorbed oxygen by controlled change of the conditions to second conditions.

Description

5 530 638 2 distinct breathing, because otherwise it is not possible to detect breathing clearly enough.

An alternative to gaseous oxygen is liquid oxygen (LOX). Liquid oxygen is oxygen cooled to -186 ° C, which gives more gas per volume than gaseous gas, up to 900 liters of free gas per liter of LOX. The technology is complicated because the system must be kept very cold and is consequently expensive.

The most common technique today for inpatient treatment at home with oxygen is the use of zeolite, silicon aluminum crystals, a molecular sieve, which has a well-defined cavity size and lets the oxygen through more easily than nitrogen because the nitrogen fits better in the cavities. The technology can be described as a filter where the nitrogen gets stuck and the oxygen passes through. This is done in a bed. A previously used bed is regenerated by allowing a portion of the produced oxygen to re-ire through it, against the current, and bring out the previously trapped nitrogen. This is done in cycles referred to as PSA (Pressure swing absorption), VSA (vacuum swing absorption), or TSA (Thermal swing absorption). In the PSA cycle, fresh air is blown in at high pressure and regeneration is performed at ambient pressure. In the TSA cycle, the temperature is raised during regeneration so that the nitrogen can be released more easily.

These Zeolite systems today weigh about 25-50 kg to produce up to 5 liters of gas per minute. An attempt to provide a portable device is described in EP 1485188.

It is a zeolite concentrator with a gas saver that weighs 4.5 kg without batteries and can produce 0.3 liters of oxygen per minute. This device has a high energy consumption which leads to short area mobility. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a device for producing oxygen, in particular a device suitable for medical purposes, which is portable, i.e. easy to carry by a user, which provides a sufficient amount of oxygen per unit time to the user, is lightweight, and has a low energy consumption.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing oxygen which is suitable for medical purposes, especially portable purposes, and which is effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects, apparent from the following description, are achieved by a medical device for producing oxygen and a method for producing oxygen which is of the type set forth in the preamble and which additionally exhibits the features set forth in the characterized part of the appended claims 1, 55. Preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention are defined in the appended dependent claims 2-54, 56-58.

By providing an apparatus for producing oxygen, the apparatus comprising means for producing a first state, and means for changing said first state to a second state, the device being configured to extract oxygen from air during a charging phase by, during said first state, contacting said air with a substance consisting of a reversible oxygen scavenging substance, i.e. an oxygen-selective material, so that the oxygen of the air is adsorbed through said substance, and to remove nitrogen gas during said first state, and configured to release oxygen from the substance during a discharge phase by changing said first state to said second state, a more efficient Medical device is constructed, which is of lighter weight, is portable and mobile, and produces a sufficient amount of oxygen per unit time so that it can be used to advantage by, for example, a COPD patient, since it The oxygen-selective material is 100% selective for oxygen compared to the zeolite process which partially binds oxygen with nitrogen. Oxygen makes up about 20% of the air, while nitrogen makes up about 80% of the air. Therefore, only one-fifth of the space where gas is adsorbed is required. This consequently makes it possible to achieve a more efficient production and a lighter device.

Preferably, the device comprises the features of the dependent claims 2-54, in which further advantageous embodiments are shown.

By providing a method for producing oxygen for individual medical purposes, which comprises the steps of: during a charging phase, extracting oxygen from air by, during the first state, contacting said air with a substance consisting of a reversible oxygen-fixing substance / adsorbent, i.e. an oxygen-selective material so that the oxygen of the air is adsorbed by said substance; and removing nitrogen from the air; and during a discharge phase releasing the adsorbed oxygen by controlled change of said state to other states, a more efficient oxygen production is achieved.

Preferably, the method comprises the features of the dependent claims 56-58, in which further features are shown.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the many views, and in which: 530 638 Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a first aspect of a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1b schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a second aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1c schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a third aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1d schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a fourth aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention; F ig. 2 schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3a schematically shows a view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a first aspect of a third embodiment of the present invention; F ig. 3b schematically shows a view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a second aspect of the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4a schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; F ig. 4b schematically shows a rear view of a device for producing oxygen in fi g. 4a; Fig. 5 schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 7a-7d schematically show a side view of different states of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5a schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention in a charging phase; and Fig. 8b schematically shows a side view of the device in Fig. 8a in a discharge phase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention describes various embodiments of a medical device for producing oxygen O2, the device being configured to extract oxygen by contacting air A during the first condition with a reversible oxygen excipient substance S / F, i.e. an oxygen-selective material, which may include, for example, metal complexes such as, for example, cobalt-bis-salicylaldehyde-ethylene-diimine (salcomine), cobalt-bis-3-fluoro-salicylaldehyde-ethylene-diimine (fl-uomin), cobalt-bi-3-ethoxy-salicylaldehyde-ethylene-diimine (etomine), metal complexes in the form of cobalt porphyrin, cobalt shiff base, or simple organic salts, so that the oxygen in the air is fixed / adsorbed by said substance; remove the nitrogen from the air; and releasing the adsorbed oxygen by controlled change of said state to other states. Preferably, salcomin and / or fl uomin and / or etomin are intended to be used. The reversible oxygen-fixing substance is hereinafter referred to as the substance S / F.

Accordingly, in the oxygen generation process there are two phases, the charging phase where oxygen O 2 in the air A reacts with the substance S / F and is adsorbed, and the discharge phase where oxygen is released from the substance. The device is configured to bring air A into contact with a reversibly leaking substance / adsorbent during the first charging phase, i.e. the substance S / F so that the oxygen in the air A reacts with the substance and is adsorbed, in which state the nitrogen N2 is arranged to be released, and in said discharge phase release oxygen O2 by changing said first state. Said first condition may comprise applying increased pressure or applying reduced temperature, ie. cooling, or a combination of both, and a change of said first condition may include a reduction of pressure, application of vacuum / negative pressure, or increase of temperature / heating, or a combination thereof.

There are thus three main cycles: a pressure cycle, a vacuum cycle and a temperature cycle, and these can be combined.

F ig. 1d shows various aspects of a first embodiment of a medical device 1A, 1B, IC, 1D for generating oxygen 02 having the common feature of comprising a chamber 10 containing a bed of the substance S / F, wherein the chamber has an inlet 12 for introducing air A into the chamber 10, where the substance S / F is arranged in said chamber so that, during the charging phase, the incoming air A reacts with it and oxygen is adsorbed during the first state, and an outlet 14, during the charging phase, allowing nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen O 2 not adsorbed on the bed of the substance S / F to pass, and during the discharging phase allowing oxygen O 2 released while changing said first state to pass. Preferably, the device further comprises a first filter means F1 arranged at the air inlet side of the chamber 10 so that air A which wastes through the inlet is filtered, and a second filter means F 2 arranged at the outlet side of the chamber 10 so that during the charging phase nitrogen N oxygen 02 flowing out through the outlet passes the filter so that possible residues of the substance S / F are filtered, and during the discharge phase oxygen 02 flowing out through the outlet passes the filter so that possible residues of the substance S / F are filtered. The outlet for nitrogen and for oxygen can be the same valve or alternatively two separate valves. Preferably, the device comprises insulating means for insulating the chamber 10 so that adiabatic states are achieved.

Fig. 1a schematically shows a side view of a device 1A for producing oxygen O2 according to a first aspect of a first embodiment of the present invention. In this first aspect, the device is intended to produce oxygen 02 by means of a combination of the pressure cycle, the vacuum cycle and the temperature cycle. The device for producing oxygen comprises the chamber 10, a pressure means 16, for example a fan or compressor arranged to blow air A into said chamber 10 through the inlet 13, a fate selector 18 arranged downstream of the chamber 10, pressure regulating means 20, for example a back pressure regulator arranged to regulate the pressure in the chamber 10 arranged downstream of the chamber 10 and preferably downstream of the flow selector 18, pressure reducing means 22, i.e. means for producing a negative pressure in the chamber 10, for example a vacuum pump 22 or the like arranged downstream of the fate selector, and preferably accumulating means 24, for example a vacuum accumulator or depression reservoir arranged upstream of the vacuum pump 22. The device further comprises temperature control means 26, for for example a heater / cooler arranged in the chamber 10 and configured to provide cooling during the charging phase and heating during the discharge phase.

During the charging phase, air A is arranged to be blown in through the first filter means F1 by means of the compressor or the fl. The substance S / F arranged in the chamber 10 is arranged to react with the oxygen 02 of the air A and is bound to the substance S / F.

The nitrogen N2 and possible oxygen O2 which have not been adsorbed on the bed are arranged to pour out through the outlet 14 of the chamber 10, where the second filter medium D2 is arranged to filter possible residues of the substance S / F. Nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen O2 are then arranged to be directed by the fate selector 18 through the back pressure regulator 20 and discharged at the nitrogen outlet valve 28. The back pressure regulator 20 is simultaneously arranged to regulate the pressure in the chamber 10 and maintain it at a first pressure level. . The temperature control means 26 is in this phase arranged to cool the air A in the chamber 10 in order to effect a more efficient reaction between the substance S / F and the oxygen O 2.

During the discharge phase, the oxygen O 2 is arranged to be released by controlled change of the conditions. The pressure means 16, for example the compressor 16 or the fan 16, is arranged to be switched off so that the pressure in the chamber 10 is reduced. By reducing the pressure, the oxygen 02 can be released, depending on the pressure gradient. A negative pressure is created in the chamber 10 by means of the vacuum pump 22, where the negative pressure provides a more efficient release of the oxygen 02. The released oxygen 02 is arranged to flow out through the outlet 14 of the chamber 10, where the second filter means F 2 is arranged to filter inanimate residues of the substance S / F. The flow of oxygen 02 is arranged to flow by means of the pressure regulator 20 and by means of negative pressure created by means of the vacuum pump 22. The flow of oxygen 02 is further arranged to be directed by means of the flow selector 18 to the accumulator 24 or alternatively directly to the vacuum pump 22. The chamber 10 is consequently arranged to be in fl fate communication with the vacuum pump 22 via fl the fate selector 18 and the accumulator 24. The accumulator 24 provides the possibility to accumulate oxygen 02 if desired. The oxygen 02 is arranged to be discharged via the oxygen outlet valve arranged at the vacuum pump 22.

The temperature regulating means 26 is in this phase arranged to heat the air A in the chamber 10 in order to achieve a more efficient release of oxygen 02.

In the first embodiment, the first states include pressure and cooling, and the changed states include negative pressure and heating, i.e. a combination of a pressure cycle, a vacuum cycle and a temperature cycle. By applying the different cycles and controlling the states thereof, the oxygen production process can be optimized, and thus an efficient oxygen production is achieved.

Fig. 1b schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen 02 according to a second aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention. in this second aspect the device is intended to produce oxygen 02 by means of the pressure cycle. the apparatus for producing oxygen 02 comprises the chamber 10, a compressor arranged to blow air A into said chamber 10 through the inlet, a flow selector 18 arranged downstream of the chamber 10, a back pressure regulator 20 arranged to regulate the pressure in the chamber 10 arranged downstream of the chamber 10 and preferably downstream of the fate selector 18. The device further comprises an outlet for discharging oxygen 02 to a person / patient.

During the charging phase, air A is arranged to be blown in through the first filter means F 1 by means of the compressor. The substance S / P arranged in the chamber 10 is arranged to react with oxygen O 2 in the air A and is bound to the substance S / F. The nitrogen N2 and inadequate oxygen O2 not adsorbed on the bed are arranged to flow out through the outlet 14 of the chamber 10, where the second filter means P2 is arranged to filter possible residues of the substance S / F. The nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of the oxygen O2 are then arranged to be directed by means of the flow selector 18 through the back pressure regulator 20 and discharged at a nitrogen outlet valve. The back pressure regulator 20 is simultaneously arranged to regulate the pressure in the chamber 10 and keep it at a first pressure level.

During the discharge phase, the compressor is arranged to be switched off. The oxygen 02 is arranged to be released by controlled reduction of the pressure, which is achieved by the pressure regulator 20. The released oxygen 02 is arranged to flow out through the outlet 14 of the chamber 10 by means of the pressure regulator 20, where the second filter means P2 is arranged to filter possible residues of the substance S / F. The flow of oxygen 02 is further arranged to be directed by means of the fate selector 18 through the pressure regulator 20 and discharged through an oxygen outlet valve.

Pig. 1c schematically shows a side view of an apparatus for producing oxygen according to a third aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention. in this third aspect, the device is intended to produce oxygen 02 by means of the vacuum cycle. The device for producing oxygen 02 comprises the chamber 10, means 16 for introducing air into the chamber 10, a fate selector 18 arranged downstream of the chamber 10, pressure reducing means 22, for example a vacuum pump 22, arranged downstream of the well selector 18, and preferably a vacuum accumulator 24 or pressure reducing reservoir arranged upstream of the vacuum pump 22. The device further comprises an outlet for discharging oxygen 02 to a person / patient. in addition, the device may comprise an additional oxygen accumulator (not shown) intended to be arranged downstream of the pressure reducing means and means for supplying the oxygen to the user / patient. This would provide the opportunity to accumulate more oxygen.

During the charging phase, air A is arranged to be introduced into the chamber 10 through the first Flltermcdlct F1, preferably by means of a fl. The substance S / F arranged in the chamber 10 is arranged to react with the oxygen 02 of the air A and is bound with the substance S / F. The nitrogen N2 and possible oxygen O2 which are not adsorbed on the bed are arranged to da through the outlet 14 of the chamber 10 by means of the pressure reducing means 22, for example the vacuum pump 22, where the second filter means P2 is arranged to filter possible residues of the substance S / F. The nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen 02 are then arranged to be directed by means of the fate selector 18 and discharged at the nitrogen outlet valve arranged at the fate selector 18.

During the discharge phase, oxygen 02 is arranged to be released by applying negative pressure in the chamber 10 by means of pressure reducing means 22, for example the vacuum pump 22. The released oxygen 02 is arranged to flow through the outlet 14 of chamber 10, where the second filter means P2 is arranged to filter possible residues of the substance S / F. The flow of oxygen 02 is arranged to blow by the negative pressure created by the vacuum pump 22. The flow of oxygen 02 is further arranged to be directed by the fate selector 18 to the accumulator 24 or alternatively directly to the vacuum pump 22. The chamber 10 is sold to be in flow communication. with the vacuum pump 22 via the fate selector 18 and the accumulator 24. The accumulator 24 provides the possibility of accumulating oxygen 02 if desired. The oxygen is arranged to be discharged via the oxygen outlet valve arranged at the vacuum pump 22.

Fig. 1d schematically shows a side view of a device for producing oxygen 02 according to a fourth aspect of the first embodiment. In this fourth aspect, the device is intended to produce oxygen 02 by means of the temperature cycle. The device for producing oxygen 02 comprises the chamber 10, means 16 for introducing air into the chamber, a flow selector 18 arranged downstream of the chamber 10, temperature control means 26, for example a cooler / heater (temperature regulator 20 comprising coolant and heating means) arranged to control the temperature in the chamber 10.

The device further comprises an outlet for discharging oxygen 02 to a person / patient.

During the charging phase, air A is arranged to be introduced into the chamber 10 by the first filter means F1, preferably by means of the fan. The substance S / F arranged in the chamber 10 is arranged to react with oxygen O 2 in the air A and is bound with the substance S / F. This is achieved by means of temperature control means 26, for example a heater / cooler which in this phase is arranged to cool the air A in the chamber 10 in order to bring about an effective reaction between the substance S / F and the oxygen 02. Nitrogen N2 and possibly oxygen 02 which are not adsorbed on the bed are arranged to flow out through the outlet 14 of the chamber 10, where the second filter means F 2 is arranged to filter possible residues of the substance S / F. The nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of the oxygen 02 are then arranged to be directed by means of the fate selector 18 therethrough and discharged through the nitrogen outlet valve.

During the charging phase, oxygen O2 is arranged to be released by controlled increase of the temperature. The temperature regulator 20 (heater / cooler) is in this phase arranged to heat the reacted substance S / F in the chamber 10 in order to effect an efficient release of the oxygen 023. The released oxygen 02 is arranged to flow out through the outlet 14 of the chamber 10 , where the second filter means F2 is arranged to filter out possible residues of the substance S / F. The flow of oxygen 02 is arranged to be directed by means of the fate selector 18 through it and is discharged at the oxygen outlet valve.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of an apparatus 100 for producing oxygen 02 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. the device 100 according to the second embodiment performs the same basic function as the device 1A-1D according to fig. la-ld. A difference compared to the first embodiment is that it comprises at least two chambers 110,130, each chamber 110, 130 containing a bed of the substance S / F, which enables a semi-continuous process of oxygen production. I fi g. The device has two beds, but could alternatively have any desired number of beds.

The device comprises a first chamber 110 and a second chamber 130 connected to each other in parallel, each chamber containing a bed of the substance S / F, each chamber having an inlet 113, 131 for introducing air A into the chamber 110, 130 , wherein the substance S / F is arranged in said respective chamber 110, 130 so that, during the charging phase, the incoming air A reacts with it and oxygen 02 is adsorbed during the first state, and an outlet 114, 123 for, during the charging phase, allowing nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen O 2 not adsorbed on the bed of the substance S / F to pass, and during the discharge phase allowing oxygen O 2 released while changing said first state to pass. Preferably, each chamber comprises a first filter means F1 arranged at the inlet side of the chamber 110, 130 so that air A flowing in through the inlet 112, 121 is filtered, and a second filter means F 2 arranged at the outlet side of the chamber so that during the charging phase nitrogen N2 and possible oxygen 02 which fl flows through the outlet 114, 123 passes the filter so that possible residues of the substance S / F are filtered, and oxygen flowing out during the discharge phase is filtered. In one variant, the chambers 110, 130 are insulated by insulating means so that adiabatic states are achieved. The device further comprises pressure means 116, for example a compressor 116 or a fan 116, an inlet selector 117 arranged downstream of the pressure means, arranged to alternately direct the inlet to the inlet 113, 131 of the first chamber 110 and the second chamber 130. The device further comprises a first discharge selector 118 arranged to be in fate communication with the first chamber 110, and a second discharge selector 138 arranged to be in fate communication with the second chamber 130. The device 100 also comprises a pressure regulator 120 arranged to be in fate communication with the first and second fate selector 11 18, 138 alternating, and pressure reducing means 122, for example a vacuum pump 122 arranged to be in fate communication with the first and second fate selector 118, 138 alternately, so that when the first output selector 118 is in flow communication with the pressure regulator and the second output communicator is in output communication with the pressure reducing agent 122 and vice versa. Preferably, the device further comprises a vacuum accumulator 124 arranged upstream of the pressure reducing means 122. The device further comprises oxygen and nitrogen outlet valves. Preferably, the chambers are insulated by insulating means. The device preferably comprises heat transfer means configured to be in thermal contact with both beds in the chambers, causing adiabatic conditions during the process.

During the oxygen production process, air A is arranged to be blown through the inlet selector 117, where said flow selector 117 is arranged to direct the air A to the first chamber 110, i.e. the charging process is performed in the first chamber 110, where the substance S / F arranged in the chamber is arranged to react with oxygen 02 of the air A and is bound to the substance S / F. The nitrogen N2 and possible oxygen O2 which are not adsorbed on the bed are arranged to drain out through the outlet of the first chamber 110, where the second element F2 is arranged to filter possible residues of the substance S / F. Nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen O2 are then arranged to be directed by means of the first output selector 118 through the back pressure regulator 120 and discharged at the nitrogen outlet valve. The back pressure regulator 120 is simultaneously arranged to regulate the pressure in the first chamber 110 and keep it at a first pressure level. When substantially all of the oxygen O is the discharge process, ie. the release of oxygen 02 intended to start in said first chamber 110. This is done by switching in the fate selector 117 arranged so that the air A is directed to the second chamber 130, i.e. the charging process is performed in the second chamber 130.

During the discharge phase in the first chamber 110, the oxygen 02 is arranged to be released by means of a controlled change of the states. The first discharge selector 118 is now arranged to be switched to be in contact communication with the accumulator 124 and the pressure reducing means 122. The oxygen 02 is arranged to be released by reducing the pressure and causing a negative pressure in the first chamber 110 by means of the vacuum pump. 122. The released oxygen 02 is arranged to flow out through the outlet of the first chamber 110, where the second tilting means P2 is arranged to filter possible residues of the substance S / F. The flow of oxygen 02 is arranged to blow by the negative pressure created by the vacuum pump 122. The flow of oxygen 02 is further arranged to be directed by the first accumulator 118 possible accumulator 124 or alternatively directly to the vacuum pump 122. The accumulator 124 provides the possibility of accumulating oxygen. 02 if desired. The oxygen 02 is arranged to be discharged via the oxygen outlet valve arranged at the vacuum pump 122. The discharge process in the first chamber 110 continues until substantially all of the oxygen 02 has been extracted.

During the charging process of the first chamber 110, the charging process takes place in the second chamber 130, where in the fate selector 117 it is arranged to direct the air A to the first chamber 1, i.e. the charging process is performed in the second chamber 130. This works in the same way as for the charging process of the first chamber 110. The nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen 02 are here arranged to be directed by the second outflow selector 138 through the back pressure regulator 120 and discharged at the nitrogen outlet valve. . When substantially all of the oxygen 02 has been adsorbed on the bed of the substance SKF in the second chamber 130, the discharge process, i.e. the release of oxygen 02 intended to start in said second chamber 130, and at this time the input selector 11 is arranged to be switched back to direct the flow of air A to the first chamber 110 in which the charging process again performed. The process thus continues through the switching between the beds.

In this example, two beds are connected, but in alternatives, fl your chambers can be connected so that one or more chambers release oxygen 02, one or more beds adsorb oxygen 02 and one or more chambers are in an intermediate phase.

For example, when the first chamber is in the charging phase, oxygen reacts with the substance and is adsorbed, the Oxygen, when adsorbed, emits energy and thus provides heating in the chamber, which negatively affects the adsorption process. The second chamber is then simultaneously in the discharge phase, during which the adsorbed oxygen is released. The oxygen, when released, receives energy, thus causing cooling in the chamber, which adversely affects the release process.

To deal with this problem, the device preferably comprises heat transfer means 128 comprising a heat transfer material which is arranged in thermal contact with the first and second bed of the substance S / F so that when one of the beds adsorbs oxygen O 2 the material is heated due to the reaction energy, and when the second bed releases oxygen 02 it is cooled due to the reaction energy, and thus an adiabatic process is achieved.

The oxygen production process according to the second embodiment as described above is essentially a printing process. In such processes, a constant temperature is desirable to avoid temperature differences during charging and discharging. It is achieved according to the adiabatic process above, and thus the process becomes more efficient. In addition, the semi-active process, ie. alternating between chambers the process is more efficient compared to using a single chamber. As in the first embodiment in fig. la-ld, the different cycles, i.e. pressure cycle, vacuum cycle and temperature cycle, or combinations thereof are applied. 10 15 20 25 30 539 538 17 F ig. 3a schematically shows a view of an apparatus 200 for producing oxygen according to a first aspect of a third embodiment of the present invention. This is an alternative to the second embodiment where four chambers are used.

The device 200A includes a first chamber 210 having an inlet 212, a nitrogen outlet 214 and an oxygen outlet 215, a second chamber 220 having an air inlet 2222, a nitrogen outlet 224 and an oxygen outlet 225, a third chamber 230 having a an air inlet 232, a nitrogen outlet 234 and an oxygen outlet 235, a fourth chamber 240 having an air inlet 242, a nitrogen outlet 244 and an oxygen outlet 245, a pipe configuration 250, a friend transfer means arranged to waste in said pipe configuration 250, and means the medium, for example a pump 27 0. Each chamber contains a bed of the substance S / F. Each chamber 210, 220, 230, 240 further includes an inlet 216, 226236, 246 and an outlet 218, 228, 238, 248. The outlet 218 of the first chamber 210 is connected to the inlet 226 of the second chamber 220, the outlet 228 of the second chamber 220 is connected to the inlet 236 of the third chamber 230, the outlet 238 of the third chamber 230 is connected to the inlet 246 of the fourth chamber 240 and the outlet 248 of the fourth chamber 240 is connected to the inlet 216 of the third chamber 230. the first chamber 210. The chambers 210, 220, 230, 240 are connected by means of the tube configuration, said tube configuration 25 being arranged through each chamber and creating a continuous path of fate through and between them. Valve means 260 are arranged at the pipes 250 between the inlet 216 of the first chamber 210 and the outlet 228 of the second chamber 220. The compressor is arranged at the pipe 250 between the outlet 228 of the second chamber 220 and the inlet 236 of the third chamber 230 The device further comprises temperature regulating means arranged to control the temperature of the medium in the pipe configuration 250.

The temperature regulating means 290 is arranged to regulate the pressure of the medium in the pipe 250 so that, for example, in the phase shown in fi g. 3a the temperature of the portion of the medium flowing in the first chamber is a low temperature of, for example, 20 ° C, and the temperature of the portion of the medium flowing simultaneously in the third chamber is a high temperature of, for example, 100 ° C. The portion of the medium flowing simultaneously in the second chamber increases from the low temperature to the high temperature, and the portion of the medium flowing in the fourth chamber cools down from a high temperature to a low temperature. The process works so that the charging phase, ie. oxygen adsorption, is performed in the first chamber 210 when the medium of low temperature while cooling is performed in the second chamber 220, the discharge phase, i.e. oxygen release, is performed in the third chamber 230, and heating is performed in the fourth chamber 240.

The cold medium in the second chamber cools and the charging process starts in the chamber where the medium receives the reaction energy and is heated. The hot medium in the fourth chamber cools down and the chamber heats up due to the energy transfer from the medium to the substance in the chamber and the discharge phase starts. Thus, when the charging and discharging phases are completed in the first and second chambers, respectively, a shift takes place so that the charging phase is performed in the second chamber 220, cooling in the third chamber 220, discharge phase in the fourth chamber 240, and heating in the first the chamber. These shifts continue accordingly when the charging and discharging phases are completed.

Fig. 3b schematically shows a view of an apparatus 200B for producing oxygen according to a second aspect of the third embodiment.

All the features of Fig. 3a exist in Fig. 3b except the feature 270. In addition, the device comprises first, second, third and fourth throttles 262, 264, 266, 268, where the first throttle 262 is arranged at the tube 250 between the first chamber 210 and the second chamber 220, the second choke 264 is provided at the tube 250 between the second chamber 220 and the third chamber 230, the third choke 266 is provided at the tube 250 between the third chamber 230 and the fourth chamber 240 , the fourth throttle 268 is provided at the tube 250 between the fourth chamber 240 and the first chamber 210. The device also comprises first, second, third and fourth pressurizing means 272, 274, 276, 278 and arranged at the tube next to a respective choke 262, 264, 266, 268.

The device in fi g. 3b operates in much the same way as the device in Fig. 3a. the difference is that the medium undergoes phase changes, the throttles and pressurizing means are needed to control these phase changes. In the condition shown in fig. 3b where oxygen is adsorbed in the first chamber and oxygen is released in the third chamber, the fourth restriction is active, i.e. a throttling is performed so that a negative pressure is created when the medium is pumped through, and the second pressure means is active. The medium thus undergoes a phase change from liquid phase to gas phase, where the temperature of the medium remains the same during the change. This provides a very efficient process.

The oxygen production process according to the third embodiment described above is essentially a temperature process. In such a process, it is desirable to reuse / recover as much of the reaction energy as possible, which is achieved by means of the devices 2 () 0A, 200B in fi g. 3a and 3b.

F ig. 4-6 show devices for different embodiments of a continuous oxygen production process, which devices generally comprise a chamber having a charge surface area and a discharge area, a rotatable member arranged in said chamber, a propellant arranged to rotate said rotatable means in said chamber mare, wherein said rotatable means comprises the substance S / F, means for introducing air A into said chamber through an air inlet, means for effecting the first state during a charging phase so that oxygen 02 of the air A introduced through the inlet reacts and is adsorbed by the substance S / F of the rotatable member, and means for releasing nitrogen N2 through a nitrogen outlet during said phase, means for effecting change of said first state so that oxygen O 2 is released from said substance S / F , and means for releasing oxygen 02 through an oxygen outlet. the oxygen production process is thus continuous, i.e. in the charge range oxygen 02 is adsorbed by the air A introduced into the chamber continuously by the substance S / F, and in the discharge range oxygen 02 is continuously extracted and discharged for use.

Preferably, the device further comprises a first filter means F1 arranged at the inlet side of the chamber so that air A pouring in through the inlet is filtered, a second filter means F2 arranged at the nitrogen outlet of the chamber so that nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen O2 flowing out through the outlet pass the filter so that possible residues of the substance S / F are filtered, and a third filter means arranged at the oxygen outlet of the chamber so that possible residues of the substance are filtered. Preferably, the chamber is insulated by insulating means.

Fig. 4a schematically shows a side view of a device for producing oxygen 02 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 4b schematically shows a rear view of the device 300.

The device 300 comprises a chamber 310 having a charge region 330 and a discharge region 340, a rotatable member 320 rotatably arranged in said chamber 310, drive means 350 arranged to rotate said rotatable means 320 in said chamber 310, the intended direction of rotation being indicated by the arrow R, wherein said rotatable member 320 comprises the substance S / F, pressurizing means 316 arranged to blow air A into the charging area 330 of said chamber 310 through an air inlet 312, a nitrogen outlet 314 arranged downstream of the air inlet 312 at the charging area, arranged to allow nitrogen N2 to be discharged, pressure reducing means 322, for example a vacuum pump 322, arranged at the periphery of the chamber 310 substantially opposite the pressurizing means 316 relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member 320, arranged to suck oxygen 02 out of the chamber 310 via an oxygen outlet 315, a pressure regulator 318 arranged at the nitrogen outlet, coolant 324 arranged in the charge o area 330, upstream of the air inlet arranged to cool the rotatable member 320, heating means 326 arranged in the discharge area 340 substantially opposite the coolant 324 relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member 320, and sealing means 323 arranged to maintain a high pressure at the discharge area 330 and a low pressure at the discharge area 340.

Preferably, the rotatable member 320 is in the form of a circular cylinder, or disc. The chamber 310 is arranged around the rotatable member 320 and preferably has the shape of a hollow circular cylinder. The propellant 350 preferably comprises a drive shaft 312 constituting the shaft of the rotatable member 320 and a rotary motor arranged to rotate the rotatable member 320. The coolant 324 is preferably connected to the chamber 310 at the charging area 330 and the heating means 326 is preferably connected to the chamber 3 at the charging range 340.

The rotatable member 320 is arranged to rotate continuously in the chamber 310. Cold air A is arranged to be introduced into the charging area 330 of the chamber 310 by means of the pressurizing means 316, for example a compressor, through the lurtin inlet into the chamber 310 where it is arranged to come into contact with the substance S / F of the rotatable member 320, where the air A is arranged to have a pressure and a temperature so that it reacts with the substance S / F of the rotatable member 320 and is adsorbed. Nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen O2 are arranged to be discharged through the nitrogen outlet and through the pressure regulator 318. The pressure regulator 318 is arranged to regulate the pressure in the charge area 330 and maintain it at a high pressure. When the rotatable member 320 rotates when the portion of the member where oxygen 02 is adsorbed the discharge area 340 via the sealant 323. In the charger area 340, heating means 326 is arranged to heat the rotatable member, and thus heat the substance S / F of the chamber 310. At the same time, the pressure reducing means 322 is arranged. due to the heating and the negative pressure, oxygen 02 is released from the substance S / F of the rotatable member 320 and is arranged to be discharged through the oxygen outlet and through the pressure reducing means 322, where it is intended to be added to a user. As the rotatable member 320 continues to rotate, the portion of the member where oxygen 02 was released reaches the charge region 330 via sealant 323. In the charge region 330, the coolant 10 is arranged to cool the substance S / F of the rotatable member 320 when passing by. The portion of the rotatable member 320 has now traveled a round along the interior of the chamber 310 and is back at the beginning where the air A is arranged to be blown in, by means of the pressurizing means 316. The cooling of the substance S / F by the coolant 324 and the pressure at the substance S / F by means of the pressurizing means 316 brings the air A into contact and causes the oxygen O 2 of the air A to react with the substance S / F so that oxygen O 2 is adsorbed by the substance S / F.

In the embodiment described above and shown in fi g. 4, a combination of the pressure cycle, the vacuum cycle and the temperature cycle is used. As in, for example, fi g. 1a-1d, other cycles or combinations of cycles may be used. if a pressure cycle is used only, the heating means 326, the cooling means 322 and the pressure reducing means 316. The heating means 326, the cooling means 326 and the pressurizing means 311 are not needed.

The oxygen production process according to the fourth embodiment as described above is a continuous process, which increases the efficiency.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a side view of an apparatus 400 for producing oxygen O 2 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. in this embodiment a variant of the temperature cycle of the fourth embodiment is shown.

The device comprises a chamber 410 having a charging area 430 and a discharge area 440, a rotatable member 420 rotatably arranged in said chamber 410, a drive means 450 arranged to rotate said rotatable member 420 in said chamber 410, where the intended direction of rotation is indicated by the arrow R, wherein said rotatable means 420 comprises the substance S / F, means for introducing air A into the chamber 410 arranged at the periphery of the chamber 410, arranged to blow air into said chamber 410 through an air inlet 412 of an air heat transfer tube. 540 G38 23 configuration 41 1, a nitrogen heat transfer tube configuration 416 having a nitrogen inlet 413 disposed downstream of the air inlet 412 at the charging region 430, and a nitrogen outlet 414 for discharging nitrogen N2 provided at the end of the tube, said tube being arranged along the circumference of the tube the rotatable member being in thermal contact therewith, said rotatable member 420 being arranged to rotate otera relative to the nitrogen heat transfer tube assembly 416, an oxygen-friendly transfer tube assembly 418 having an oxygen inlet 422 disposed at the discharge region 440 of the chamber 410 and an oxygen outlet 424 for discharging the oxygen oxygen 02 disposed at the end of the tube; in the circumference of the rotatable member 420 adjacent nitrogen heat transfer tube configuration 416. The device further comprises, as in FIG. 4, coolant 426 disposed in the charging area 430 upstream of the air inlet 412 arranged to cool the rotatable member 420, heating means 428 arranged in the discharge area 440 substantially opposite the coolant relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member 420, and sealing means provided a temperature maintained 430 and a high temperature at the discharge area 440.

Preferably, the rotatable member 420 is in the form of a circular cylinder, or disc. The chamber 410 is arranged around the rotatable member 420 and is preferably in the form of a hollow cylinder. The drive means 450 preferably comprises a drive shaft constituting the shaft of the rotatable member 420 and a rotary motor arranged to rotate the rotatable member 420. The coolant is preferably connected to the chamber 410 at the charging region 430 and the heating means is preferably connected to the chamber 41 at the discharge region.

The rotatable member 420 is arranged to rotate continuously in the chamber 410. Cold air A is arranged to be introduced into an air inlet 412 of an air heat transfer tube and transported by it into the charging area 430 of the chamber 410 where it is arranged to enter contact with the substance S / F of the rotatable member 420, where the air A is arranged to react with the substance S / F of the rotatable member 420 and is adsorbed. Nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen 02 are arranged to da into the nitrogen inlet 413 and through the nitrogen-friendly transfer tube configuration 416, where the fate is against the rotation of the rotatable member 420. When the rotatable member 420 rotates reaches the portion of the member where the oxygen 02, the discharge area 440 is adsorbed. The turning agent 428 is arranged to heat in the discharge area 440 to a temperature of, for example, 100 ° C. . Nitrogen NZ which is cold in this area and flows against the rotational movement of the rotatable member 420 is arranged to exchange heat with the hot substance S / F of the rotatable member and there will thus be an equalization of temperature in that the hot substance S / F is cooled and the nitrogen N2 is heated. The heated nitrogen N2 is arranged to continue flowing towards the discharge area 440 / the heating area and is arranged to exchange heat with the cold substance S / F of the rotatable member and there will thus be an equalization of temperature in that the cold substance S / F is heated and the nitrogen N 2 is cooled. Due to the protection of the substance S / F, oxygen 02 is released from the substance S / F of the rotatable member 420 and is arranged to flow into the oxygen inlet 422 and through the oxygen heat transfer tube configuration 418 and is discharged through the oxygen outlet 424, where it is intended to be supplied. to a user. The oxygen heat transfer tube configuration 418 in which hot control O 2 is arranged to fl desolate is also arranged so that the substance S / F of the rotatable member 420 is heated. Preferably, the oxygen heat transfer transfer tube assembly 418 is disposed in the discharge region 440 / heating region adjacent the nitrogen heat transfer tube assembly 416, said tubes being disposed through the chamber 410 at the charge region 43 introduced and flows into the trachea, for example an optimal temperature for the user, or alternatively to achieve a normal inlet temperature for the introduced air A, or to achieve both. The coolant 426 is arranged to cool in the charge range 430 to a temperature of, for example, 20 ° C. The cooling of the substance S / F by the coolant causes the oxygen O that oxygen 02 is adsorbed by the substance S / F.

Due to the arrangement of the tube configurations 411, 416, 418, the oxygen production becomes more efficient compared to a temperature cycle according to the fourth embodiment, since much of the reaction energy is recovered.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a side view of an apparatus 500 for producing oxygen O 2 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment a variant of a pressure and / or vacuum cycle is shown where neither a compressor nor a vacuum pump is required.

The device 500 comprises a chamber 510 having a charge region 530 and a discharge region 540, a rotatable member 520 rotatably arranged in said chamber 510, a drive means 550 arranged to rotate said rotatable means 520 in said chamber 510, the intended direction of rotation being indicated by the arrow R , wherein said rotatable member 520 comprises the substance S / F, means for introducing air A into the chamber 510 arranged at the periphery of the chamber 510. The rotatable member 520 is in the form of a circular cylinder or disk. The chamber 510 is arranged around the rotatable member 520. The device 500 further comprises flexible sealing means 522, the sealing means 522 comprising a number of sealing dividers 522 or blades projecting substantially radially towards the inner side 511 of the chamber 510 distributed around the chamber 510 so that cavities 518 in the chamber 510 are formed between the compartments 522, where each sealing divider is arranged to rotate together with the rotatable member. The device 500 further comprises an air inlet 512, a nitrogen outlet 514 arranged at the charging area 530, a first pressure regulator 513 arranged at the nitrogen outlet 514, an oxygen outlet 516 arranged at the discharge area 540, and a second pressure regulator 515 arranged at the oxygen outlet 516. the air inlet 512 forms the chamber 510 and the two adjacent compartments 522 a relatively large cavity 518, i.e. the radial distance between the periphery of the rotatable member 520 is relatively large, said distance slowly decreasing with the charge region 530 to the nitrogen outlet 514, thus forming a tapered portion 525 which acts as a constriction, where the discharge area 540 begins and the distance increases relatively faster in a widening portion 535 of the discharge area below a certain distance of the discharge area 540 to an area 545 where it decreases even faster substantially to the oxygen outlet. The drive means 550 preferably comprises a drive shaft constituting the shaft of the rotatable member 520 and a rotary motor arranged to rotate the rotatable member 520.

The rotatable member 520 is arranged to rotate continuously in the chamber 510. Cold air A is arranged to be introduced into the cavity 518 formed by two adjacent dividers 522 of the chamber 510 via the air inlet 512. The introduced air A is thus enclosed in said cavity 518. As the rotatable member 520 rotates together with the compartments 522, the cavity 518 moves along the charge area 530, towards the displacement portion 525, where the volume of the cavity 518 thus decreases as the rotatable member 520 rotates, and consequently the pressure in the cavity 518 and the oxygen 02 of the air A reacts with the substance S / F of the portion of the rotatable member 520 in the chamber 510 and is adsorbed. The compartments 522 and the drying penetration portion 525 constitute pressurizing means when the rotatable member 520 rotates. When the cavity 518 reaches the nitrogen outlet 514, the pressure regulator is arranged to reduce the pressure and nitrogen N2 is arranged to be released through the nitrogen outlet 514. When the cavity 518 reaches the discharge area 540, the volume of the cavity 518 increases as the cavity 518 moves together with the rotatable member 520 540, and consequently the pressure in the cavity 518 decreases to a negative pressure so that oxygen 02 is released from the substance S / F of parity of the rotatable member 520 in the cavity 518.

As the rotatable member 5 rotates further, the volume of the cavity 518 reaches the pressure normalization area 545 where the volume of the cavity 518 is arranged to decrease rapidly so that the pressure in the cavity 518 reaches the pressure or higher, so that the released oxygen 02 can be released. Thus, when the cavity 518 reaches the oxygen outlet 516, the pressure is arranged to increase to pressure or higher, and the released oxygen 02 is then arranged to be discharged through the oxygen outlet 516 through the pressure regulator, for use by the user. When the rotatable member 520 rotates further when the chamber 510 again reaches the position of the air inlet 512 and the process starts again.

As an alternative variant of the embodiment described above, the rotatable member described above could have a non-circular cylindrical shape and the interior of the chamber could have the shape of a hollow circular cylinder which, if suitably dimensioned, would achieve substantially the same effect as above.

The oxygen production process according to the sixth embodiment described above is essentially a printing process. An advantage of this configuration of the device is that there is no need for a compressor or vacuum pump, which reduces the number of parts, which can be cost effective.

Pig. 7a-7d schematically show a side view of different states of a device 600 for producing oxygen 02 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The device 600 comprises a chamber 610 having a cylindrical shape, the chamber 610 containing the substance S / F arranged at one end of the chamber 610, a piston 620 arranged between the substance S / F and the end of the chamber 610 opposite the S / F end of the substance , said piston 620 being reciprocated in the chamber 610 along an axis, between an open position and a closed position, in which open position a cavity 611 is formed between the piston 620 and the substance S / F, and in which closed position the piston 620 is arranged to be at the substance S / F, an air inlet valve 612 arranged at the substance S / F end of the chamber 610 to introduce air A into the chamber 610, an outlet valve arranged at the S / F end of the substance at the chamber 610 for discharging nitrogen N2 or oxygen 02, a fate selector 618 having a nitrogen outlet 622 and an oxygen outlet 624, an accumulator for attack accumulating oxygen 02, and a second oxygen outlet 626. The device further comprises insulating means 628 for keep the device adiabatic. 10 15 20 25 530 G38 28 The oxygen production takes place in four stages I, II, III, IV, where the first and second stages II, II constitute the charging phase, and the third and fourth stages III, IV constitute the discharge phase. Preferably, the device 600 comprises insulating means arranged to insulate the chamber 61 or rather the substance S / F of the chamber 610 so that the device 600 can be kept adiabatic during the oxygen production process. Alternatively, the device 600 may comprise temperature control means 628 arranged to cool at the chamber 610 during the charging phase and arranged to heat at the chamber 610 during the discharge phase.

In the first step I, air A is arranged to be introduced into the chamber 610 through the air inlet valve 612 when the piston 620 is in its open position. At this stage, the oxygen / nitrogen outlet valve 614 is closed, as well as the nitrogen outlet 622 and the oxygen outlet 624 of the discharge selector 618.

In the second stage II, the air inlet valve 612 is arranged to be closed and the piston 620 is arranged to be moved to its closed position, where the volume of the cavity 611 decreases, and the entrapped air A in the cavity 611 is compressed, consequently increasing the pressure. Due to the pressure of the air A, the oxygen O 2 of the air A reacts with the substance S / F and is adsorbed by the substance S / F. The outlet valve 614 is then arranged to open and the nitrogen N said flow selector 618 is arranged to direct the nitrogen N2 to the nitrogen outlet 622 where it is discharged.

In the third stage III, the outlet valve 614 is arranged to be closed and the air inlet valve 612 remains closed. The piston 620 is arranged to be moved to its open position, the volume of the cavity 611 increases, and negative pressure is created in the cavity 611. Due to the negative pressure, oxygen 02 is released from the substance S / F. In the fourth stage IV, the outlet valve 614 is arranged to be closed and the air inlet valve 612 remains closed. The piston 620 is arranged to be evacuated to its closed position, the volume of the cavity 611 decreases, and the entrapped air A in the cavity 611 is compressed, so that the pressure is increased to an ambient pressure or slightly higher. the outlet valve 614 is then arranged to be opened and oxygen 02 is arranged to flow to the fate selector 618, where said fate selector 618 is arranged to direct oxygen 02 to the oxygen outlet 624 where it is preferably arranged to be introduced into an accumulator to accumulate oxygen 02 , and then discharged through an outlet of the accumulator for use by a user when desired.

The oxygen production process according to the second embodiment described above is mainly a printing process, and is a variant of the process in Fig. 6. Thus, an advantage of this configuration of the device is that there is no need for a compressor or vacuum pump, which reduces the number of parts, which can be cost effective. This further provides an apparatus that enables high oxygen production per unit time due to the reciprocating motion which can reduce the amount of substance / adsorbent material required. Figs. 5a and 8b schematically show side views of an apparatus 700 for producing oxygen. ygen 02 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The device 700 comprises a chamber 710, the chamber 710 containing the substance S / F. The device 700 further comprises a connecting valve 712 arranged at the outside of the chamber 710, a pressurizing means 716, for example a compressor or a fl, arranged to be removably connected to the connecting valve 712, for supplying air A through said valve into the chamber 710 when it is connected, a nitrogen outlet 714 arranged outside the chamber 710 for discharging nitrogen N2, an oxygen outlet 715 arranged outside the chamber 710 for discharging oxygen 02, temperature regulating means 720 comprising a pocket 722 arranged in the chamber for housing in the charging phase a cooler 724 is intended to be removably disposed in said pocket 722, and in the discharge phase is a heater 728, for example a fl single fi configuration which is in thermal communication with the cooler 724 / heater 726, where said temperature control means 720 is connected to the connection valve 712, and is arranged to heat when the pressurizing means 716 is switched off. preferably the connecting valve 712. Preferably, the device 700 comprises insulating means 726 arranged to insulate the chamber 710.

F ig. 8a shows the device 700 in the charging phase. During the charging phase, the pressure means 716 is arranged to be connected to the connection valve 712. Air A is arranged to be introduced into the chamber 710 by means of the pressurizing means 716 via the connection valve 712. Temperature regulating means 720 is arranged to cool the air A and the substance S / F in the chamber 710 by the cooler 724 being in thermal contact with the heat transfer means 728. The oxygen O2 of the air A then reacts with the substance S / F and is adsorbed by the substance S / F. Nitrogen N2 in air A is arranged to be released through the nitrogen outlet 714.

Fig. 8b shows the device 700 in the discharge phase. During the discharge phase, the chamber 710 containing the charged substance S / F has been disconnected from the pressurizing means 716 by disconnecting the connecting valve 712 therefrom.

Temperature control means 720 is arranged to heat the substance S / F by means of the heater 726 which is in thermal contact with the heat transfer means 728. The oxygen 02 is released from the substance S / F and is arranged to be released through the oxygen outlet 715 for use by the user.

The above has a device 700 for producing oxygen O2 by using pressure and thermal, i.e. cooling, the function during the charging phase and the thermal, ie. heating, the function during the discharge phase has been described and shown in fi g. 7. However, different cycles and functions of the same can be used. The device 700 is intended for use in an ambulance or other applications where oxygen is required. The rechargeable oxygen storage device is intended to be placed in a charging position in the ambulance when not in use, where the device is then in a standby position. When needed by, for example, a patient, the chamber is removed and oxygen is produced by heating so that the patient can be provided with oxygen. When used, the chamber is installed again in the charging mode, charged and ready for use again. It can thus be reused on site. There is no need to have several oxygen boxes that need to be replaced when they are used or pick up new ones.

The chamber may, for example, be in the form of a bottle. In all embodiments of the present invention, the device may comprise pre-filter means F1 arranged at the air inlet side of the at least one chamber so that air A pouring in through the inlet is filtered, and other filter means P2 arranged at the nitrogen outlet so that nitrogen N2 and possible fractions of oxygen O 2 solder out through the nitrogen outlet passes the filter so that possible residues of the substance S / F are filtered, and arranged at the oxygen outlet so that oxygen O2 which fl discharges through the oxygen outlet passes the filter so that possible residues of the substance S / F are filtered.

The device may also in all embodiments comprise an accumulating means 24 arranged to accumulate oxygen discharged through the oxygen outlet. This will make it possible, for example, to provide oxygen continuously even if production is not continuous or to be able to provide increased or decreased oxygen under fate for a short period if desired by the user.

In the various embodiments, various cycles and combinations thereof have been described.

Generally, during the charging phase, the charging temperature depends on the pressure so that high temperature can be used when high pressure is applied during said phase, i.e. even if normal temperature is mentioned in connection with the charging phase, it is referred to as cooling, but a rather high temperature can apply and still have a reaction of the oxygen with the substance given that the pressure is high enough. By cooling is meant cooling in a relative term where cooling can be a temperature above room temperature, ie. above 20 ° C, for example. In addition, the discharge temperature depends on the negative pressure so that with a negative pressure near vacuum a low temperature can be used. by turning is thus meant turning in a relative term, where heating can be a temperature below room temperature.

Thus, in order to be independent of ambient temperature, the charging temperature may be above ambient temperature. An advantage is that temperature changes in the ambient temperature do not affect the process.

Furthermore, the charging pressure can be below normal atmospheric pressure given that the charging temperature is sufficiently low. This can be the case, for example, in an eye plane or on a high mountain.

The device in all embodiments may also include means for controlling the amount of oxygen. The device may, for example, comprise means for allowing air in a controlled manner. through the chamber so that air is mixed with the oxygen produced. An advantage is that it enables a simple way to control the amount of oxygen on an anesthesia device.

The system can also oxygenate the amount of oxygen in a gas mixture by contacting the mixture with the substance S / F. With the substance S / F being at a certain pressure and a certain temperature, the substance would then not only give oxygen to the gas mixture if the oxygen content is too low, but also extract oxygen if the oxygen content is too high. This can be useful, for example, in anesthesia machines or in diagnosing how a patient reacts to different oxygen concentrations, or in any condition where it is important not just pure oxygen.

The device according to the embodiments of the present invention further makes it possible to provide pressurized oxygen by, for example, pumping an overpressure or increasing the temperature in the bed of the substance. The device for producing oxygen according to the above embodiments also produces nitrogen. Instead of simply being released into the ambient air, the nitrogen can be used when, for example, an environment that is oxygen-dependent is desired, for example in the event of a fire / risk of fire by reducing the oxygen content.

The device can also produce gas with an oxygen content that is lower than that of air. This could be used for any application in which a lower than normal oxygen concentration is useful, for example, to diagnose patients to see how they react to lower oxygen content than air, or for athletes who breathe air that has a lower oxygen content, or people trying to acclimatize to high altitudes by breathing air that has a lower partial oxygen pressure than that at sea level.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device may comprise an oxygen saver, which has the advantage that it only dispenses gas during inhalation and not continuously which is normally the case. This would reduce the dosage by up to one tenth of normal gas consumption, and thus make it possible to manufacture a smaller and lighter portable medical device. However, this technique has the disadvantage that it only works on patients who are conscious with distinct breathing, as otherwise it would not be possible to detect breathing clearly enough.

By measuring the level of oxygen uptake and emissions in the substance S / F and using this information to control the uptake and emission mode, the energy consumption in the devices can be reduced and optimized. This also enables the device to handle situations where ambient air is lower or higher in oxygen content than normal ambient air fi, for example if oxygen is to be taken from air where the oxygen content is lower due to some other oxygen consumption in the vicinity or take oxygen from lye at high altitude where the ambient pressure is reduced. Another situation where this may be useful is if the air used is oxygen-enriched, for example because the unit takes back a certain part of the oxygen exhaled by a patient or if the oxygen content is increased for some other reason.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device may be powered by various energy sources, for example battery, mains connection or the like, i.e. a device that can be powered by a battery or other power source, which can combine these operating processes when a patient is mobile and stationary, respectively.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a device which is arranged to control that the substance is always charged to saturation before activating the discharge mode, in order to avoid delivering elevated nitrogen N2 initially.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises operating modes which are adaptable to the needs of the patient, and may for this purpose include sensors for detecting breathing based on directly detecting respiration in or near the respiratory tract, detecting changes in chest, either volume or impedance or ultrasound / light. Or indirect detection by measuring the need for oxygen or detecting oxygen saturation in the blood by means of, for example, an optical sensor (for example PPG). Alternatively, other patient feedback, such as connection with nerve signals to control breathing.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises means, i.e. mode, to signal when an oxygen dose is required, wherein said agent is acidifiable by the patient.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises means for varying operating modes during the inhalation phase, for example oxygen pressure and amount, in order to be received more efficiently by the patient, where the modes are individually programmable. According to one aspect of the titration of the present invention, the device comprises programming means for programming different modes of respiration to be delivered during different stages of the patient, for example when the patient is awake, asleep, has a pulse change, etc.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises means for delivering a concentrated oxygen dose in case of emergency.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises monitoring means arranged to provide information to the patient regarding operation, performance, for example of the battery or substance, during operation.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises alarm means with alarm functions having identity depending on the type of alarm, i.e. have different alarms that respond to different situations. The alarm functions can be delivered via sound, light or touch, for example vibration. The device may include alarm modes that are based on forecast values.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises means for utilizing oxygen not inhaled by the patient, thereby increasing the life of the chemistry package, i.e. substance, and reduce energy consumption- IICII.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device may be arranged in direct contact with the body of the patient to utilize the body temperature of the patient as a heat source to increase the oxygen release from the substance SCII. According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present embodiment, the device comprises interchangeable chemistry packages comprising the substance. The chemistry package, i.e. the substance may be pre-treated or non-pre-treated.

According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a connection arranged to connect a patient, said connection being arranged to provide a turbulent flow at the oxygen outlet to the patient to make the oxygen intake more efficient for the patient, i.e. improve breathing.

Claims (58)

10 15 20 25 30 536 E38 37 PATENT REQUIREMENTS An apparatus for producing oxygen, wherein the apparatus (IA, IB, IC, 1D; 100; ZOOA; ZOOB; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700) comprises means for effecting the first state, and means for changing said first state to second states, wherein the device is configured to extract oxygen from air during a charging phase by, during said first state, bringing said air (A) into contact with a substance (S / F), so that the oxygen of the air is adsorbed by said substance, and removing nitrogen during said first state, and configured to release oxygen from the substance during a discharge phase by changing said first state to said second state, characterized in that the substance consists of a reversible oxygen executing substance, i.e. . an oxygen-selective material having properties so that the oxygen in the air, during the charging phase, reacts with said substance. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is a portable unit. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said means for effecting the first condition comprise one or more of the following: pressurizing means, for example a compressor or a fan, coolant, or a combination of pressure medium and coolant; and said means for effecting controlled change of said first state to the second states comprises one or more of the following: pressure reducing means, for example a vacuum pump, heating means, or a combination of pressure reducing means and heating means; where the means for effecting the first condition may comprise nonnal pressure, i.e. atmospheric pressure, and normal temperature, i.e. approximately room temperature given that the means for effecting the second conditions comprises depressants and / or heating means, and wherein the means for producing other states may comprise normal pressure and temperature given that the means for producing the first states comprises pressurizing agents and / or refrigerant. 10 15 20 25 30 53Û E38 38 Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device comprises at least one chamber (10; 110, 130; 210, 220, 230, 240; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710) arranged to contain a device. bed of the substance (S / F), each chamber having an inlet (12; 112, 121; 212, 222, 232, 242; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712) for introducing air (A) into in the chamber, where the substance (S / F) is arranged in said chamber so that, during the charging phase, the incoming air reacts with it and oxygen is adsorbed during the first state, and a nitrogen outlet (14; 114, 123; 214, 224, 234, 244; 314; 413, 414; 514; 614; 714) arranged to allow, during the charging phase, nitrogen (N2) and possible fractions of oxygen (O2) not adsorbed on the bed of the substance (S / F) to pass, and an oxygen outlet (14; 114, 123; 216, 226, 236, 246; 315; 422, 424; 516; 614; 716) to, during the discharge phase, allow the oxygen (O 2) to be released while changing said first state To pass. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the device further comprises means (16; 116; 316; 716) for introducing air into the chamber. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the device further comprises pressurizing means (16; 116; 316; 522, 525; 620; 716) arranged to pressurize the chamber (10; 110; 310; 510; 610; 710) . Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the pressurizing means (16; 116; 316; 716) is arranged upstream of the air inlet (12; 112, 312; 712). Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the pressurizing means (522, 525; 620) is movably arranged in the chamber (510; 610) so that the air in the chamber is compressed. Device according to any one of claims 4-8, characterized in that the device further comprises pressure regulating means (20; 120; 522; 525, 540, 545; 620), arranged to regulate the pressure in the chamber. 10 15 20 25 5313 B38 39 Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the pressure regulating means (20; 120) is arranged downstream of the outlet (14; 114). Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the pressure control means (522; 525, 540, 545; 620) is movably arranged in the chamber (510; 610). Device according to claims 4-11, characterized in that the device further comprises pressure reducing means (22; 122; 322; 522, 535, 620), arranged to create a negative pressure in the chamber (10; 110; 310; 510; 610). Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the pressure reducing means (22; 122; 322) is arranged downstream of the oxygen outlet (14; 114; 315). Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the pressure reducing means (522, 535; 620) is movably arranged in the chamber (510; 610) so that the air in the chamber (510; 610) is lowered. Device according to one of Claims 4 to 14, characterized in that the device further comprises temperature control means (26; 128; 250, 290; 324, 326; 416, 418, 424, 426; 724, 726, 728) arranged to control the temperature in the chamber (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 710). Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the temperature control means comprises coolant (26; 128; 250, 290; 324; 416, 418, 424; 724, 728) arranged to cool the contents of the chamber (10; 1) during the charging phase. 10; 210; 310; 410; 710), and heating means (26; 128; 250, 290; 326; 416, 418, 426; 726, 728) during the discharge phase heat the contents of the chamber (10; 110; 210; 310 ; 410; 710). 10 15 20 25 30 530 B38 40 Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the temperature control means comprises heat transfer means (128, 250, 290; 416, 418; 728) arranged to exchange heat in the chamber. Device according to any one of claims 4-17, characterized in that the device comprises at least two chambers (110, 130; 210, 220, 230, 240), said companion being arranged so that when at least one of the chambers, e.g. a first chamber, is in the charging phase, at least one of the other chambers, for example a second chamber, is in the discharging phase, and means for changing phase when the charging and discharging phases of the respective chambers are completed, so that it at least one chamber, for example the first chamber is arranged to release the oxygen adsorbed in the charging phase at the same time as one of the other chambers, possibly for example the second chamber is arranged to adsorb oxygen, and then continues to alternate. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that at least one of the chambers is in an intermediate phase. Device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the device comprises four chambers (210, 220, 230, 240), each chamber containing the substance, each chamber having an air inlet (212, 222, 232, 242) , a nitrogen outlet (214, 224, 234, 244) and an oxygen outlet (215, 225, 235, 245), the chambers being connected in series via a heat transfer tube configuration (250) arranged to receive a heat transfer medium, said medium being arranged flowing through said tube, and temperature regulating means (290) arranged to control the temperature of the medium so that at the same time oxygen is adsorbed in, for example, the first chamber, the second chamber connected downstream relative to the first chamber is cooled, oxygen is released in it to for example, the third chamber is connected downstream of the second chamber, and the fourth chamber, for example, is heated, and then shifts so that oxygen is adsorbed in the cooled second chamber, the third chamber is cooled, the oxygen is released in the fourth chamber. aren, and the first chamber is heated and so on. 10 15 20 25 530 638 41 Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the device further comprises pre-constrictions (262, 264, 266, 268) arranged respectively at the tube (250) between respective chambers to provide a pre-constriction for the fate of the medium before the chamber in which oxygen is adsorbed , and pressure means (272, 274, 276, 278) arranged respectively at the tube between the respective chambers to effect the fate of the unit. Device according to claims 18-19, characterized in that the device further comprises a fate selector (117) arranged upstream of the air inlet (112, 121) of the at least two chambers arranged to shift the fate of air between them so that a semicontinuous oxygen production process is achieved. Device according to any one of claims 4-17, characterized in that the chamber (310; 410; 510) comprises a charging area (330; 430; 530) in which the first state means are arranged to be present and a discharge area (3 40; 440; 540) in which the other state agents are arranged to be present. Device according to claim 23, characterized in that the air inlet (312; 412; 512) and the nitrogen outlet (314; 414; 514) are arranged at the charging area, and the oxygen outlet (315; 422; 516) is arranged at the discharge area. Device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the device further comprises rotating means (320, 350; 420, 450; 520, 550) arranged to rotate the substance in the chamber (310; 410; 510) so that the substance is brought in contact with the air in the charge region in which, when driven, oxygen is adsorbed, and that the substance is brought into contact with the air in the discharge region in which oxygen is released, so that the oxygen is continuously produced. 10 15 20 25 530 E38 42 Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the rotating means comprises a rotatable member (320; 420; 520) comprising the substance, the substance constituting at least the peripheral portion of the rotatable member, and propellant (350; 450; 550) arranged to rotate the rotatable organct. Device according to one of Claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the rotatable member has a substantially circular cylindrical shape. Device according to any one of claims 23-27, characterized in that the device further comprises sealing means (323; 522) arranged to provide a seal in the chamber (310; 510). Device according to claim 28, characterized in that the sealing means (323) are arranged to seal so that the first states in the charge region and the second states in the discharge region are maintained. Device according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the sealing means (522) is arranged to move along the rotating means and arranged to seal against the inner side (511) of the chamber so that air is transported out of the space formed between it. inner side of the chamber and the substance. Device according to one of Claims 15 to 30, characterized in that the temperature control means (26; 128; 250, 290; 324, 326; 416, 418, 424, 426; 724, 726, 728) is connected to the chamber. Device according to one of Claims 23 to 31, characterized in that the coolant (324; 424) is connected to the chamber (310; 410) and is arranged to cool in the charging area (330; 430). 10 15 20 25 530 B38 43 Device according to one of Claims 23 to 31, characterized in that the heating means (326; 426) is connected to the chamber (310; 410) and is arranged to heat in the discharge area (340, 44). Device according to any one of claims 17-33, characterized in that the heat transfer means comprises a nitrogen heat transfer tube configuration (416) and an oxygen heat transfer tube configuration (418) arranged relative to each other so that heat exchange is carried out in the chamber between nitrogen, oxygen and the reaction energy. oxygen. Device according to claim 34, characterized in that the device comprises an air heat transfer tube configuration (411) arranged relative to the nitrogen heat transfer tube configuration (416) and the oxygen heat transfer tube configuration (418) so that friend exchange is carried out between the nitrogen, the oxygen and the air. , oxygen and air. Device according to one of Claims 23 to 35, characterized in that the pressurizing means (326; 522, 525) is arranged to pressurize in the charging range. Device according to any one of claims 28-36, characterized in that the pressurizing means comprises the sealing means (522) and a tapered portion (525) of the charging area (530) configured so that when the sealing means (522) enters the the narrowing portion of the transported air is compressed. Device according to claim 37, characterized in that the sealing means (522) comprises a number of visible sealing dividers (522) or blades projecting substantially radially towards the interior of the chamber (510) distributed around the chamber (510) so that cavities (518) ) in the chamber (510) is formed between the compartments (522). 10 15 20 25 53Ü 638 44 Device according to one of Claims 23 to 38, characterized in! in that the discharge means (322; 522, 535) is arranged to create a negative pressure in the discharge area (34o; 540). Device according to one of Claims 28 to 39, characterized in! in that the discharge means (522, 540) comprises the sealing means (522), and an expanding portion (535) of the discharge area (540) is configured so that when the sealing means (522) enters the expanding portion the transported air is lowered to a negative pressure. Device according to any one of claims 9-40, characterized in that the pressure regulating means comprises a piston (620) arranged in the chamber for effecting a reciprocating movement between an open and a closed portion. Device according to claim 41, characterized by a first step (I) in which the piston is arranged to be in its open position, in which step air is arranged to be introduced into the chamber, a second step (II) in which the piston is arranged to compress the air by fl being transferred to the closed position so that oxygen is adsorbed by the substance and the nitrogen is arranged to be released through the nitrogen outlet, a third step in which a negative pressure is arranged to be produced by moving the piston to the open body. goat so that oxygen is released and a fourth step in which the piston is arranged to be moved to the closed position so that oxygen is released through the oxygen outlet. Device according to any one of claims 5-42, characterized in that the chamber (710) is removably connected to the air introducing means (716) so that the chamber can be removed from the air introducing means and provide oxygen to, for example, a patient, and recharged, i.e. . arranged to adsorb oxygen, by reconnecting it to the lu med introducer after providing oxygen to, for example, a patient. 10 15 20 25 30 5301 E38 45 Device according to any one of claims 5-43, characterized in that the air inlet (712) comprises a connection arranged at the outside of the chamber, the connection being intended to be connected to the air introducing means (716) during the charging phase, and disconnected from the pressurizing agent during the discharge phase. Device according to one of Claims 4 to 44, characterized in! in that the device further comprises an accumulating means arranged to accumulate oxygen discharged through the oxygen outlet. Device according to any one of claims 4-45, characterized in that the device further comprises first filter means (F 1) arranged at the air inlet side of the at least one chamber so that air (A) which wastes through the inlet is filtered, and a second edel 1-theatrical agent (F2) arranged at the nitrogen outlet so that nitrogen (N2) and possible fractions of oxygen (02) which fl pour out through the nitrogen outlet pass the filter so that possible residues of the substance (S / F) are filtered, and arranged at the oxygen outlet so that oxygen (02) which fl pours out through the oxygen outlet passes the filter so that possible residues of the substance (S / F) are filtered. Device according to any one of claims 4-46, characterized in that the device further comprises means (128; 628) for effecting adiabatic conditions in the chamber. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 47, characterized in that the device further comprises means for controlling the amount of oxygen. Device according to any one of claims 1-48, characterized by means for handling the nitrogen released during the charging phase. Device according to any one of claims 1-49, characterized in that said reversible oxygen scavenging substance is salcomine and / or ominomine and / or etomine. 10 15 20 25 30 SBÜ G38 46 Device according to one of Claims 1 to 50, characterized in that the device further comprises an oxygen saver. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in! in that the device is a device for medical purposes. Device according to any one of claims 1-52, characterized in that said reversible oxygen scavenging substance is a porphyrin or a cobalt shiff base. Use of a device according to any one of the preceding claims for the medical treatment of a patient. A method of producing oxygen comprising the steps of: - during a charging phase, extracting oxygen from air (A) by, during the first state, contacting said air (A) with a substance (S / F), so that the oxygen in the air is adsorbed by said substance; and removing the nitrogen from the air; and - during a discharge phase, releasing the adsorbed oxygen by controlled change of said state to other states characterized by said substance consists of a reversible oxygen-increasing substance / adsorbent (S / F), i.e. an oxygen-selective material having properties such that the oxygen in the air, during the charging phase, reacts with said substance. A method according to claim 55, characterized by; said first condition comprising any of the following: high pressure, low temperature, a combination of high pressure and low temperature, or atmospheric pressure and room temperature; and said controlled change of said first state to the second states comprises any of the following: depressurization, heating, or combinations of depressurization and heating; where said first condition may comprise normal pressure, i.e. atmospheric pressure, and normal temperature, i.e. approximately room temperature given that the second state comprises pressure reducing agents and / or heating means, and where the other possible states may include normal pressure and temperature given that the first states include pressurizing means and / or cooling means. Process according to claim 55 or 56, characterized in that said substance (S / F) is the salcornine and / or fl uomin and / or etomin. 58. A method according to any one of claims 55-57, characterized in that it is applicable for individual medical purposes.