US3050058A

US3050058A - Oxygen tent

Info

Publication number: US3050058A
Application number: US587860A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Albert H Andrews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-05-28
Filing date: 1956-05-28
Publication date: 1962-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 1979-08-21

Description

Aug. 21, 1962 A. H. ANDREWS, JR 3,050,058

OXYGEN TENT Filed May 28, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 21, 1962 A. H. ANDREWS, JR 3,050,058

OXYGEN TENT Filed May 28, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A/ber/ H Andrews (/1? yj g 3,050,058 X GEN TENT Albert H. Andrews, In, 4714 Greenwood Ave, Chicago 14-, ill. Filed May 28, 1956, Ser. No. 587,860 Claims. (Cl. 128191) This invention relates in general to an apparatus for administering gas therapy, and more particularly to an oxygen tent for administering oxygen therapy to a bedded patient, wherein the bulk of the tent may be placed under the bed thereby conserving needed space in small rooms. Still more particularly, the oxygen tent of the present invention is capable of administering oxygen therapy safely and accurately, while also attending to the patients comfort.

Heretofore, oxygen tents have included mechanism which was extremely bulky and necessitated occupying considerable needed space in small rooms. Also, where electrical refrigeration units were employed for cooling and the cooling coils were mounted in the canopy, the patients life was continually endangered by the possibility that a leak might develop in the cooling coils allowing the refrigerant to escape within the canopy. Moreover, difficulty has been encountered in administering the proper percentages of oxygen to the canopy for any length of time. Where cooling coils from an electrical refrigeration unit are employed Within the canopy, a problem is encountered in removing the condensate produced on the cooling coils by the patient and deflecting the air blown over the cooling coils so that the cool draft does not blow directly on the patients head.

The oxygen tent of the present invention comprises a compressor cabinet assembly adapted to be positioned substantially entirely under the bed of a patient, a canopy assembly for positioning above the patients head, and a hollow supporting column and control assembly upstanding from the cabinet assembly along one side of the bed for supporting an overhead canopy and providing an enclosed housing for connections between the compressor assembly and the canopy assembly. In the compressor assembly, a refrigeration unit is arranged to have its cooling coils in heat exchange relationship with a set of cooling coils which are connected to cooling coils positioned in the canopy assembly. At the top of the canopy assembly a blower unit driven by an external motor magnetically connected to the blower forces air over the cooling coils therein. Condensate formed on the cooling coils falls into a drip pan. The drip pan functions as a baffle to deflect the air driven over the cooling coils so that it will not blow directly onto the patients head. Oxygen is delivered to the canopy assembly through a pipe having an end open to the atmosphere outside of the canopy assembly, and terminating inside the canopy assembly behind the blower unit. A variable valve is provided to selectively control the end of the pipe open to the atmosphere.

While the present invention is primarily concerned with the administering of oxygen therapy, it will be understood that it may be employed for administering other types of gas therapy.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for administering gas therapy which obviates the heretofore encountered difficulties.

Another object of this invention is in the provision of an apparatus for administering oxygen therapy, wherein the bulk of the apparatus may be positioned under the bed thereby conserving needed space in small rooms.

A still further object of this invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for administering oxygen therapy efiiciently and accurately to a bedded patient, while at the same time serving to comfort the patient.

A further object of this invention is to provide an oxy- 3,650,058 Patented Aug. 21, 1962 gen tent including a canopy assembly, wherein the temperature within the canopy is automatically controlled in accordance with the comfort desires of the patient.

A still further object of this invention is in the provision of an oxygen tent having an electrical refrigeration unit for regulating the temperature within the canopy, wherein the cooling coils of the refrigeration unit are mounted outside the canopy and means is provided in communication with the cooling coils of the refrigeration unit and the inside of the canopy to remove heat from within the canopy.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of an oxygen tent including a canopy assembly having heat exchange coils within the canopy and a blower unit for circulating the air within the canopy over the heat exchange coils, and means is provided to catch the condensate drippings from the coils and deflect the cool draft so that it does not blow directly on the patients head.

Another object of this invention is to provide an oxygen tent haivng an arrangement for delivering accurately various amounts of oxygen to the canopy according to the desires and needs of the patient.

Still another object of this invention is in the provision of a blower unit mounted on a panel or wall, wherein the motor is positioned on one side of the panel and the fan is positioned on the other side, and wherein leakage of atmosphere between the sides of the panel is eliminated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an oxygen tent having an electric motor operated blower unit mounted thereon, wherein the fan is positioned within the canopy assembly and the electric motor is mounted on the outside of the assembly, and means is provided to absolutely prevent leakage of oxygen from within the canopy asserrrbly at the motor mount.

A still further object of this invention resides in the provision of a magnetic coupling drive for transmitting rotary motion through a wall or panel which includes a driving member on one side of the wall and a driven member on the other side of the wall and means for preventing any leakage of air through the wall.

A further object of this invention is to provide an oxygen tent having an oxygen flow assembly and a canopy assembly, wherein an oxygen leak in the flow assembly will not raise the oxygen concentration in the canopy and wherein cut off of the oxygen will not hinder admittance of air.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which:

As shown on the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a generally diagrammatic view, with some parts shown in section and others in elevation of an oxygen tent according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the valve which controls drainage of the water carrying heat exchange coils and filling of the coils by clean water;

FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the canopy assembly showing the magnetic coupling drive and sealing arrangement of the electrical motor driven blower;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary and greatly enlarged diagrammatic sectional view illustrating the oxygen flow assembly for controlling the percentage of oxygen to be delivered to the canopy assembly; and

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the control disk-employed in the oxygen flow control valve of FIGURE 4.

On the drawings:

Referring particularly to FIGURE 1, the oxygen tent of the instant invention includes a compressor or cabinet assembly 10, a canopy assembly 11, a tubular'support or column 12 for supporting the canopy assembly 11 and providing a housing for connecting elements between the canopy assembly and the cabinet assembly, and an oxygen flow assembly 13. These main components are in their approximate assembled relationship, wherein the tubular support and housing 12 is anchored at its bottom end to the frame of the compressor assembly 18. The tubular support and housing is therefor upstanding from the compressor assembly and provided with a eurvate section at its upper end which overlies the main portion of the compressor assembly 10 since the bottom end is suitably anchored at one side thereof.

The compressor assembly includes a housing 14 which is rectangular in shape, in this instance, and which serves as a base for the oxygen tent that may rest on the floor. To facilitate moving the oxygen tent along the floor, the housing 14 of the compressor assembly may be provided with a plurality of casters on the bottom thereof, these not being shown for purposes of clarity. At the upper end of the tubular support and housing 12 the curvate portion which extends over the housing 14 of the compressor assembly 10 has rigidly secured thereto a dome-shaped member or hood 15 of the canopy assembly. Thus, it will be noted that the dome-shaped member 15 of the canopy assembly 11 is positioned above the main portion of the compressor assembly housing 14. At the outer periphery of the canopy hood 15, suitable clamping or securing means, such as indicated by the numeral 16 is provided to detachably connect a. flexible canopy 17 thereto defining with said hood an oxygen conditioning chamber 17a. This canopy can be made of any suitable material, but preferably of pliofilm which is relatively inexpensive and may be discarded after use, and which is transparent thereby allowing the patient to see out.

In the compressor assembly housing 14, an electric refrigeration unit 18 having a set of cooling coils 19 serves to provide the necessary cooling for the atmosphere in the canopy 17. The cooling coils 19 are in heat exchange relationship with a set of heat exchange coils 20 which are operatively connected to a similar set of heat exchange coils or cooling coils 21 mounted in the canopy assembly 11, the connecting tubular portions extending through the tubular support housing 12. These heat exchange coils are adapted to carry a coolant fluid, such as water which effects removal of heat within the canopy assembly. A water recirculating pump 22 is provided in one of the connecting lines between the

heat exchange coils

20 and 21 for circulating the water therein. This pump is also mounted in the compressor assembly housing 14. Since the cooling coils 19 of the refrigeration unit 18 are mounted outside of the canopy 17, any possibility of a refrigerant leaking from these coils and mixing with the atmosphere within the canopy 17 has been obviated. Obviously, leakage of water from the cooling coils 21 within the canopy assembly 11 would not in any way be detrimental to a patient undergoing oxygen therapy in the oxygen tent, while leakage of the refrigerant gas in the tent would obviously interfere with the oxygen concentration which would be undesirable. In fact, where poisonous refrigerants are employed, death of the patient could easily come about. But the leakage of water within the canopy would not affect the concentration of oxygen.

Should it be desired to change the water in the water carrying

coils

20 and 21, a four-way valve 23 is provided having four

ports

24, 25, 26 and 27, wherein the adjacent ports may be in communication at any one time upon manipulation of a center plug 28 having angular passageways 28a and 28b therethrough.

Ports

24 and 25 are connected in a line of the water carrying

coils

20 and 21 at 24a and 25a, respectively, and the valve plug 28 will normally be positioned as shown in FIGURE 2 so that

ports

24 and 25 are intercommunicated by the passageway 28a and recirculation of the water through the heat exchange coils 2i} and 21 by the pump 22 is maintained. Port 26 is connected to a line 29 leading to a drain line '30. Rotation of the valve plug 28 so that

ports

25 and 26, and 24 and 27 are intercommunicated allows the Water-carrying coils 2G and 21 to be drained of the water or cooling fluid. In this position of the plug 28, water is allowed to drain down, both sides of the water-carrying coils through lines 29 and 30 from the port 26, and through a combination water supply and drain line 31, and drain line 31a from the port 27. A shut-off drain valve 31b is positioned in the drain line 31a, and opened during the draining operation.

The combination line 31 is also connected through a shut-off water valve 310 to a water supply or reservoir 32. During the draining operation the valve 310 will be closed. While the valve plug 28 is stationed in the draining position, filling of the water-carrying coils with fresh water may be accomplished. The drain valve 31b is closed and the water valve 31c is opened. When the coils are full, water will be discharging from the drain line 30, at which time rotation of the valve plug 28 to its original position so that

ports

24 and 25 are connected will place the systern back in operation. Water valve 31c may then be closed.

In order to control the temperature of the atmosphere within the canopy, an adjustable temperature control assembly or thermostat 33 is provided which includes a temperature sensitive element 34 positioned within the canopy assembly to be subjected to the conditions of the atmosphere therein and which is suitably connected to the control 33a by a line 35, and suitable connectors 36 leading to the refrigerating unit 18 through the tubular support 12. Manual adjustment of the thermostat 33a effects control of the temperature within the canopy by controlling the operation of the refrigerating unit 18.

Included in the canopy assembly 11 is a blower unit 37 (shown most clearly in FIGURE 3) which circulates the atmosphere within the canopy 17 over the cooling coils or heat exchange coils 21. In order to mount the blower unit 37 on the hood or dome-shaped member 15 of the canopy assembly 11, an opening is formed in the center of the hood for receiving a mounting and supporting plate 38 having an outstanding flange 38a in overlying relationship with the hood 15. A plurality of fasteners 39 extend through the flange 38a and are threadedly received in the hood 15 for securing the plate 38 to the hood. Between the flange 38a and the hood 15, a gasket 46 is positioned for preventing the possibility of any leakage of oxygen from within the canopy assembly. The mounting plate 38 is provided with a center bore 41 which receives a pair of bearings 42 for rotatably supporting a fan shaft or driven shaft 43. On the end of the shaft 43 extending within the hood, a fan blade 44 is removably carried and positioned overhead of the heat exchange coils 21. An electric motor 45 of any suitable type is supported on the side of the mounting plate 38 which is outside of the hood by a flanged mounting ring 46. Suitable fasteners 47 secure the flange of the mounting ring 46 to the mounting plate 38.

The electric motor 45 is provided with a drive shaft 48, and a magnetic coupling is employed to drivingly connect this shaft with the fan shaft 43. This magnetic coupling includes a permanent magnet 49 in the shape of a disk which is secured to the very end of the shaft 48 and protrudes within a recessed portion of the mounting plate 38 defined by an enlarged counterbore St in communication with the bore 41. Also included in the magnetic coupling is a magnetically susceptible cup-shaped member 51 secured on the inner end of the driven shaft 43 and sized to partially freely telescope over the permanent magnet 49. Preferably, the cup-shaped magnetically susceptible member 51 may be constructed of soft iron. Extending between the permanent magnet 49 and the soft iron driven member of the magnetic coupling is a nonmagnetic contoured sheet of material 52 having its outer periphery securely clamped between the flange of the mounting ring 46 and the upper face of the mounting plate 38 in order to define a seal which -will act to prevent leakage of oxygen from within the canopy assembly. A flexible O-ring 53 guards against leakage between the sealing member 52 and the mounting plate 38. As already pointed out, the sealing member necessarily is constructed of non-magnetic material and is preferably constructed of a relatively rigid material, such as aluminum. Thus, operation of the electric motor 45 drives the fan blade 44 through the shafts and the magnetic coupling without any danger of oxygen escaping from within the canopy assembly. This sealing arrangement increases the safeness of use of the oxygen tent, wherein leakage of oxygen to the electric motor which might cause a fire has been eliminated. Further, leakage around the blower would upset the oxygen concentration.

The cooling unit within the canopy assembly 11 removes the heat and water vapor produced by the patient and thus maintains a comfortable atmosphere. Condensate formed on the cooling coils 21 drops into a col lecting pan 54 which underlies the cooling coils and is provided with a drain line 55 running over to the tubular housing support 12 and downwardly through the housing support to the drain line 30. Thus, the condensate is removed by gravity through the drain line 55 and the drain line 30. Additionally, the collecting pan 54 serves as a bafile or deflector which prevents the cool draft created by the blower unit 37 from blowing directly on the patients head.

The oxygen fiow assembly 13 controls the oxygen concentration within the canopy, and includes a pipe 56 terminating within the canopy at a point behind the fan blade 44 and at the outside of the canopy in an .open end at 57. Oxygen is supplied from a source 58, such as an oxygen tank, and delivered through a suitable conduit 59 to a reducing valve 60 which greatly reduces the pressure and controls the oxygen flow, and through a shutoff valve 61. The conduit 59 terminates within the oxygen feed pipe 56 and is provided ,on the side facing the outlet end of a pipe with an aperture or opening 62. Spaced inwardly from the open end 57 of the pipe 56 is a slot which receives an outer portion of a rotatable disk 63. The disk 63 is carried on a shaft 64 rotatably mounted in a bearing 65 and capable of being rotatably manipulated by a knurled knob 66. A plurality of circumferentially spaced

apertures

67, 68, 69, 70, 71 and 72 are formed in the rotatable disk 63 for varying the openings at the outer end of the pipe 56 in order to vary the oxygen concentration delivered to the inside of the canopy. With the largest opening 72 in line with the pipe 56, the greatest amount of outside air is drawn through the open end of the pipe 57 by the jet effect of oxygen exiting from the aperture to dilute the oxygen delivered from the aperture 62, while the smallest opening 67 permits much less air to enter the open end of the pipe 56' thereby delivering a larger concentration of oxygen to the inside of the canopy. Further, rotation of the fan 44 creates a suction on the side next to the hood 15 which operates on the open end of the pipe 56 to aid in drawing the oxygen and air into the canopy. If it is desired to deliver 100% oxygen to the inside of the canopy, the disk 63 may be rotated so that the solid portion between

apertures

67 and 72 completely closes off the end of the pipe 56 and prevents any air from entering the pipe.

In operation, the oxygen tent of the present invention is employed for administering oxygen therapy to bedded patients. In positioning the oxygen tent with respect to the bedded patient, the compressor assembly housing 14 is slid under the bed in such a manner that the canopy assembly 11 will be positioned substantially directly overhead of the patients head. This positions the tubular supporting column 12 at one side of the bed, thereby necessitating only a small portion of the compressor assembly housing to project from under the bed' Thus, only a small amount of extra floor space is taken, thereby conserving much needed space in small rooms. The lower edges of the canopy 17 will then be suitably tucked under the covers or mattress of the bed in order to completely enclose the patients head and shoulders within the canopy. Starting of the refrigeration unit 18, the blower unit 37 and the water circulating pump 22 establishes the cooling unit of the tent in operation. Control of the temperature of the atmosphere within the canopy 17 is then obtained through the temperature control assembly 33, which operates to energize and deenergize the refrigeration unit 18 in accordance with the temperature within the canopy. The oxygen concentration valve is then adjusted to bring the desired concentration aperture on the disk 66 in alignment with the open end of the oxygen feed pipe 56, and the oxygen is admitted to the feed pipe 56 by manipulation of the shut-off valve and the reducing valve 60. By selectively manipulating the disk 63 of the oxygen concentration valve, the concentration of oxygen within the canopy can be adjusted.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the instant invention provides an improved oxygen tent that is easy to operate, safer in construction for the benefit of the patient, -arranged to conserve badly needed space in small roms, capable of accurately controlling the temperature and oxygen concentration within the canopy in accordance with the patients comfort and is eflicient in operation.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be eifected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, but it is understood that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for administering oxygen therapy comprising a cabinet assembly, a tubular member extending upwardly from said cabinet assembly, a hood carried by said tubular member in overlying relationship to said cabinet assembly, a canopy suspended from said hood for draping over the head of a patient, means for cooling the atmosphere within said canopy including a refrigeration unit in said cabinet assembly having a set of cooling coils, a first set of coolant-carrying coils in heat exchange relationship with said cooling coils, a second set of coolantcarrying coils mounted under said hood and being connected to said first set of coolant-carrying coils, means for circulating coolant through said coolant-carrying coils, and means for introducing oxygen into said canopy.

2. Apparatus for administering oxygen therapy comprising a cabinet assembly, a tubular member extending upwardly from said cabinet assembly, a hood carried by said tubular member in overlying relationship to said cabinet assembly, a canopy suspended from said hood for draping over the head of a patient, means for cooling the atmosphere within said canopy including a refrigeration unit in said cabinet assembly having a set of cooling coils, a first set of coolant-carrying coils in heat exchange relationship with said cooling coils, a second set of coolantcarrying coils mounted under said hood and being connected to said first set of coolant-carrying coils, means for circulating coolant through said coolant-carrying coils, means mounted on said hood for circulating the atmosphere within the canopy over said second set of coolant carrying coils, and means for introducing oxygen into said canopy.

3. Apparatus for administering oxygen therapy comprising a cabinet assembly, a tubular member extending upwardly from said cabinet assembly, a hood carried by said tubular member in overlying relationship to said cabinet assembly, a canopy suspended from said hood for draping over the head of a patient, means for cooling the atmosphere within said canopy including a refrigeration unit in said cabinet assembly having a set of cooling coils, a first set of coolant-carrying coils in heat exchange relationship with said cooling coils, a second set of coolantcarrying coils mounted under said hood and being connected to said first set of coolant-carrying coils, means for.

circulating coolant through said coolant-carrying coils, means mounted on said hood for circulating the atmosphere within the canopy over said second set of coolant carrying coils, means underlying said coolant coils mounted under said hood for collecting condensate and deflecting the atmosphere circulating thereover, and means for introducing oxygen into said canopy.

4. Apparatus for administering oxygen therapy comprising a cabinet assembly, a tubular member extending upwardly from said cabinet assembly, a hood carried by said tubular member in overlying relationship to said cabinet assembly, a canopy suspended from said hood for draping over the head of a patient, means for cooling the atmosphere Within said canopy including a refrigeration unit in said cabinet assembly having a set of cooling coils, a first set of coolant-carrying coils in heat exchange relationship with said cooling coils, a second set of coolantcarrying coils mounted under said hood and being connected to said first set of coolant-carrying coils, means for circulating coolant through said coolant-carrying coils, means mounted on said hood for circulating the atmosphere within the canopy over said second set of coolant carrying coils, a collecting pan underlying said second set of coolant-carrying coils for collecting condensate drippings from said coils and for deflecting the atmosphere circulating thereover, and means for introducing oxygen into said canopy.

5. Apparatus for administering oxygen therapy comprising a cabinet assembly, a tubular member extending upwardly from said cabinet assembly, a hood carried by said tubular member in overlying relationship to said cabinet assembly, a canopy suspended from said hood for draping over the head of a patient, means for cooling the atmosphere within said canopy including a refrigeration unit in said cabinet assembly having a set of cooling coils, a first set of coolant-carrying coils in heat exchange relationship with said cooling coils, a second set of coolant-carrying coils mounted under said hood and being connected to said first set of coolantcar-rying coils, means for circulating coolant through said coolant-carrying coils, means counted on said hood for circulating the atmosphere within the canopy over said second set of coolant-carrying coils, a combination drip pan and deflector for collecting condensate dripping from the coils and diver-ting the flow of circulating atmosphere so that it will not blow directly on the patients head, and means for introducing oxygen into said canopy.

6. Apparatus for administering oxygen therapy to a patient in a bed which comprises a cabinet adapted to be supported on the floor to be positioned substantially under the bed, an electrical refrigeration unit carried in said cabinet and having a set of cooling coils, a tubular member extending upwardly from said cabinet at one end thereof to be positioned at one side of the bed, a domeshaped hood carried at the upper end of said tubular member in overlying relation to said cabinet and therefore to be positioned directly over the bed, a canopy suspended from the periphery of said hood, a first set of water carrying coils in said cabinet in heat exchange relationship with said refrigerator cooling coils, a second set of water carrying coils mounted under said hood, conduits extending through said tubular member connecting said sets of water-carrying coils, a circulating pump in said cabinet for circulating water through said water-carrying coils, a blower unit mounted on said hood for circulating the atmosphere within the canopy over the second set of water-carrying coils, a pan underlying said second set of water-carrying coils for collecting condensate and deflecting the atmosphere so that it does not directly strike the patients head, a drain leading from the pan and downwardly through said tubular member, and an oxygen flow assembly for introducing a selected oxygen concentration into said canopy.

7. Apparatus for administering oxygen therapy to a patient in a bed which comprises a cabinet adapted to be supported on the floor and to be positioned substan tially under the bed, an electrical refrigeration unit carried in said cabinet and having a set of cooling coils, a tubular member extending upwardly from said cabinet at one end thereof to be positioned at one side of the bed, a dome-shaped hood carried at the upper end of said tubular member in overlying relation to said cabinet and therefore to be positioned directly over the bed, a canopy suspended from the periphery of said hood, :1 first set of water-carrying coils in said cabinet in heat exchange relationship with said refrigerator cooling coils, a second set of water-carrying coils mounted under said hood, conduits extending through said tubular member connecting said sets of Water-carrying coils, a circulating pump in said cabinet for circulating water through said Water-carrying coils, a blower unit mounted on said hood for circulating the atmosphere Within the canopy over the second set of water-carrying coils, a pan underlying said second set of water-carrying coils for collecting condensate and deflecting the atmosphere so that it does not directly strike the patients head, a drain leading from the pan and downwardly through said tubular memher, a variable control having a temperature sensitive element responding to the temperature of the atmosphere in said canopy and being operatively connected to said refrigeration unit for controlling same, and an oxygen flow assembly for introducing a selected oxygen concentration into said canopy.

8. Apparatus for administering oxygen therapy to a patient in a bed which comprises a cabinet adapted to be supported on the floor and to be positioned substantially under the bed, an electrical refrigeration unit carried in said cabinet and having a set of cooling coils, a tubular member extending upwardly from said cabinet at one end thereof to be positioned at one side of the bed, a dorne-shaped hood carried at the upper end of said tubular member in overlying relation to said cabinet and therefore to be positioned directly over the bed, a canopy suspended from the periphery of said hood, a first set of water-carrying coils in said cabinet in heat exchange relationship with said refrigerator cooling coils, a second set of water-carrying coils mounted under said hood, conduit-s extending through said tubular member connecting said sets of water-carrying coils, a circulating pump in said cabinet for circulating water through said watercarrying coils, a (blower unit mounted on said hood for for circulating the atmosphere within the canopy over the second set of water-carrying coils, a pan underlying said second set of water-carrying coils for collecting condensate and deflecting the atmosphere so that it does not directly strike the patients head, a drain leading from the pan and downwardly through said tubular member, a variable control having a temperature sensitive element responding to the temperature of the atmosphere in said canopy and being operatively connecting to said refrigeration unit for controlling same, and an oxygen flow assembly for introducing a selected oxygen concentration into said canopy, said oxygen flow assembly including a tube having one end opening inside of the canopy so the blower unit creates a suction flow therethrough and the other end opening to the outside atmosphere, means for variably restricting the opening to the atmosphere, and means for introducing oxygen into the tube intermediate the ends thereof.

9. Apparatus for administering oxygen therapy to a patient in a bed which comprises a cabinet adapted to be supported on the floor and to be positioned substantially under the bed, an electrical refrigeration unit carried in said cabinet and having a set of cooling coils, a tubular member extending upwardly from said cabinet at one end thereof to be positioned at one side of the bed, a dome-shaped hood carried at the upper end of said tubular member in overlying relation to said cabinet and therefore to be positioned directly over the bed, a canopy suspended from the periphery of said hood, a first set of Water-carrying coils in said cabinet in heat exchange relationship with said refrigerator cooling coils, a second set of water-carrying coils mounted under said hood, conduits extending through said tubular member connecting said sets of Water-carrying coils, a circulating pump in said cabinet for circulating water through said water-carrying coils, a blower unit mounted on said hood for circulating the atmosphere within the canopy over the second set of Water-carrying coi'ls, a pan underlying said second set of water-carrying coils for collecting condensate and deflecting the atmosphere so that it does not directly strike the patients head, a drain leading from the pan and downwardly through said tubular member, a variable control having a temperature sensitive element responding to the temperature of the atmosphere in said canopy and being operatively connected to said re frigeration unit for controlling same, and an oxygen flow assembly for introducing a selected oxygen concentration into said canopy, said oxygen flow assembly including a tube having one end opening inside of the canopy so the blower unit creates a suction flow therethrough and the other end opening to the outside atmosphere, means for variably restricting the opening to the atmosphere, and an oxygen supply conduit connected to the tube downstream from the end of the tube opening to the atmosphere for introducing oxygen into the tube.

10, An apparatus for administering oxygen therapy to a patient in a bed which comprises a canopy assembly including a hood for directing an oxygen atmosphere downwardly to a patient in a bed, means for inducing a selected oxygen concentration into the canopy, means defining an opening in said hood, a panel secured to the hood and located in said opening with an opening through said panel, a mounting plate in said opening sealingly secured to said panel, and an axial opening therethrough, a fan shaft rotatably mounted in said axial opening and extending from one side of said plate, a fan carried on the free end of said shaft operative to circulate the oxygen atmosphere within the canopy, a motor secured to the other side of said plate and having a drive shaft in substantial axial alignment with said fan shaft, means for magnetically coupling said shafts including a permanent magnet carried on one shaft in operative driving relation to a magnetically susceptible member carried on the other shaft, and a non-magnetic shield extending between said magnet and said magnetically susceptible member and being peripherally sealed so that the motor is completely sealed from the fan and the oxygen atmosphere cannot contact the motor creating the possibility of a configuration and whereby the oxygen concentration cannot be upset by ambient air entering the canopy.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,104,589 Hartman Jan. 4, 1938 2,115,482 Crewe Apr. 26, 1938 2,366,562 Schug Jan. 2, 1945 2,479,906 Cole Aug. 23, 1949 2,498,342 Pettiorew Feb. 21, 1950 2,510,356 Werts June 6, 1950 2,702,546 Gilroy et al. Feb. 22, 1955 2,738,127 Howard Mar. 13, 1956 2,742,040 Moore et al. Apr. 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 393,650 Germany Sept. 2, 1924