US3857909A

US3857909A - Gas nebulizing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3857909A
Application number: US00350026A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Huggins
Original assignee: Co Huggins J & Ass
Current assignee: Co Huggins J & Ass; Co Huggins J & Ass us
Priority date: 1973-04-11
Filing date: 1973-04-11
Publication date: 1974-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-31

Abstract

Apparatus for administering nebulized gas to a patient includes a connector having a tubular nozzle communicating with an oxygen supply, a tubular spike portion, and a smaller diameter water supply tube within the spike portion and extending beyond the end of the spike portion for first piercing the stopper in an intravenous solution bottle. The spike portion enlarges the hole pierced by the water supply tube. The oxygen supplied through the nozzle creates a vacuum in the water supply tube, drawing water from the bottle into the oxygen stream. The oxygen and water mixture impinges against a small sphere, nebulizing into a fog of small water droplets within a chamber. A flexible tube connected to the chamber delivers the nebulized fog to the patient. A rotatable valve structure controls the entrance of ambient air to enter the nebulizing chamber. By rotating one of the valve elements different concentrations of nebulized oxygen can be administered to the patient.

Description

[ llTee. 31, 1974 Primary ExaminerFrank W. 'Lutter Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Chiesa Attorney, Agent, or FirmOlson, Trexler, Wolters, Bushell & Fosse, Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for administering nebulized gas to a patient includes a connector having a tubular nozzle communicating with an oxygen supply, a tubular spike portion, and a smaller diameter water supply tube within the spike portion and extending beyondthe end of the spike portion for first piercing the stopper in an intravenous solution bottle. The spike portion enlarges the hole pierced by the water supply tube. The oxygen supplied through the nozzle creates a ,vacuum in the water supply tube, drawing water from the bottle into 26l/DIG. 65

A6lm 15/00 186, 188, 194; 121 R, 64 R; 222/400.7

[latte @tates atent [191 the oxygen stream. The oxygen and water mixture impinges against a small sphere, nebulizing into a fog of small water droplets within a chamber. A flexible tube connected to the chamber delivers the nebulized fog to the patient. A rotatable valve structure controls the entrance of ambient air to enter the nebulizing chamber. By rotating one of the valve elements different concentrations of nebulized oxygen can be administered to the patient.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED 631 I974 3. 857, 909

SHEET 10F 3 PATENTEI] DEB3 1 I974 SHEET 2 OF 3 PATENTED DEBS 1 I974 sum 30F l. GAS NEBIUILIZING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 'frequently passed through humidifiers or nebulizers prior to being delivered through a flexible tube to the patient. The nebulized oxygen has a visible fog of tiny droplets for treating the patient.

In order to maintain sterility, a standard intravenous solution bottle should be used as the water source in humidification. The intravenous solution bottle has the advantage that it contains its own sterilized supply of water or medicated solution. Also, the bottle is disposed of after use. Thus, assuming proper handling procedures, sterility is preserved.

Present practice of filling an empty nebulizer container with sterile water, capping it with the cover containing the nebulizer, connecting the nebulizer to an oxygen supply and the container to a flexible tube to the patient, takes time and care in order to maintain sterility. Moreover, the nebulizer containers require storagespace, which is at-a premium in the hospital.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a gas nebulization system that utilizes standard intravenous solu tion bottles having standard stoppers therein, whereby the hospital does not need to inventory bottles with sterile water for nebulization or to inventory empty nebulizer containers requiring filling procedures before use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel connector which forms part of the system and which serves as the principal component that facilitates the use of conventionally stoppered intravenous solution bottles in the system.

It is a further and more specific object of the present invention to provide a connector of the type and for the purpose stated that is adapted to puncture a conventional intravenous solution bottle stopper, and wherein the connector prevents accidental removal thereof from the bottle stopper while also permitting the bottle to be suspended from the connector.

It is a further and important object of the present invention to provide a connector of the type and for the purpose stated that is adapted to provide additional air to regulate the oxygen concentration in the nebulization system.

In accordance with the foregoing objects the connector of the present invention comprises a body with a first tubular means for connection to a gas supply, such as the outlet ofa metering valve. The gas is typically oxygen, but it may be air or air modified with oxygen. The first tubular means has a nozzle for the oxygen. The body also includes a second tubular means which is a spike portion for piercing the stopper or like closure for the container. A third tubular means is comprised of a water supply tube of smaller diameter than that of the tubular spike portion and is telescoped therein. The water supply tube extends outwardly beyond the puncturing end of the spike portion a sufficient distance so that when the connector is in proper position on the stopper, the lower end of the water supply tube will be chamber connects to a flexible tube to carry the nebulized gas .to the patient. In one embodiment of themvention the top end of the fourth tubular means is open and surrounds the first tubular means. The first tubular means has a flange containing openings. Furthermore,

the fourth tubular means is rotatably suspended from the flange so that the fourth tubular means and parts carried thereby can be turned to position one or more of the openings over the open end of the fourth tubular means. This regulates the ambient or additional air into the nebulizer chamber and thus regulates the oxygen concentration.

In another form of the invention the fourth tubular means is Y-shaped and has, on one of the legs of the Y, a cap-shaped valve arrangement forcontrolling the additional air.

The oxygen under pressure as it goes through the nozzle, creates a vacuum in the water supply tube. Water is drawn into the jet of oxygen, and the mixture is impinged on a small sphere or bulb and thus nebulized into a fog oftiny droplets in the nebulizing chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG..1 is a perspective view of a gas nebulizing apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner of inserting the water supply tube through the stopper of the intravenous solution bottle in accordance with the manner of setting up the apparatus for use;

FIG-4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of a portion of'FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a modified form of apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along line 99 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. It) is a view, partially in section, as seen from line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now in more detail to the drawing, there is shown a gas nebulizing apparatus comprising a connector 2 having a body with two rotatably connected

body portions

4, 6. The

body portions

4, 6 are each preferably formed of high density polyethylene or an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin. The upper body portion 41 comprises a first tubular member 8,

having an upper end that is internally threaded for coupling onto the externally threaded tubular end 12 of a gas (e.g. oxygen) supply outlet 14. This outlet 14 may, by way of example, be a right angle fitting as shown in FIG. 1 and may project from the wall of the hospital room such that the axis of the tube end 12 is vertical. Furthermore, the outlet 14 may suitably include or be part of a conventional, adjustable metering valve. To facilitate manually threading the upper end 10 onto the thread of the end 12 the upper end 10 may be provided with

opposed wings

16, 16. Furthermore, the upper end 10 is formed with a conical surface 18 which mates with a like conical surface in the bore 20 of the outlet 14 so as to form a gas-tight seal between the outlet 14 and the upper end 10. Gas will then flow from the bore 20 to the bore 22 of the tubular member 8.

The body portion 6 has a tubular section 24 the upper end of which has an annular bead 26 for snapfitting engagement with the peripheral part or rim 28 of a horizontal flange 30 that is integral with the tube member 8. The plastic is sufficiently yieldable to permit the snap fit when the bead is axially pressed into the rim 28. Furthermore, the tube member 8 is centered with respect to the flange 30 and the tubular section 24 whereby the body portion 6 may be rotated to various positions about the axis of the bore 22, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, and for purposes more fully appearmg.

Centrally thereof tubular section 24' has a sleeve 32 for rotatably receiving the tube 8. The bore of the sleeve 32 and the external surface of the tube 8 may each be downwardly tapered. Joining the sleeve 32 and the wall of the tubular section 24 are ribs or splines 34, 34 that are diametrically opposed. These

splines

34, 34 thus bisect the tubular section 24 to provide a halfcylinder or half tube 36. This half-cylinder 36 may optionally have a wad of filtering material 38 packed therein.

The flange 30 is formed with a number of radiating ribs 40 that provide a series of circumferentially spaced openings 42. These openings 42 provide a grill running for 180, leaving a solid or imperforate part 44 extending over the remaining 180 of the flange 30. Thus, the body portion 6 may be rotated to various positions so that a selected portion of the grill'formed by the openings 42 will be presented to the open upper end of the tubular section 24. This controls the amount of air intake into the tubular section 24 for mixing with the nebulized gas as will be hereinafter more fully explained. The half tube 36 can also be closed off by rotating the body portion 6 until the imperforate part 44 of the flange 30 closes off the upper end of the half tube The body portion 6 also includes an upwardly angled tubular section 46 which provides a nebulizing chamber 48. This tubular section 46 is joined to the tubular section 24 so as to provide communication between the interior or bore 50 of the half tube 36 and the nebulizing chamber 48. To permit such communication the

ribs

34, 34 do not extend below the junction of the

tube sections

24, 46. Furthermore, it will be noted from FIG- 4 that an upper part of the tubular section 46 blocks off the lower end of the half tube portion 52 that is opposite to the half tube 36. Consequently, there is no communication between the upper open end of the tube portion 52 and the nebulizing chamber 48.

The lower end of the body portion 6 is integrally formed with a second tubular member in the form of a depending spike 54 having a beveled end 56 that provides a piercing or penetrating lower end. Upwardly from this lower end the spike 54 is externally provided with barbs 58. The distance between the barbs 58 and the lower surface 60 of the body portion 6 is a predetermined amount to facilitate gripping and sealing with a conventional intravenoussolution bottle stopper 62.

Rigidly mounted within the body portion 6 is a third tubular member 64 that constitutes a liquid supply tube adapted to be immersed in the liquid 63 and through which solution is withdrawn from the intravenous solution bottle 66. The solution is mixed with the flowing stream of gas from the outlet 14. The tube 64 is of substantially smaller diameter than that of the bore 68 of the spike 54, thus providing communications between the nebulizing chamber 48 and the interior of the bottle 66 through the bore 50, an opening 70 at the bottom of the tubular section 24, and the bore 68. The tube 64 has a lower beveled end 72 which provides a lower penetrating or piercing point for piercing the bottle stopper 62, as shown in FIG. 3.

The tube 64 is supported in a section 74 of the body portion 6 that is offset from the axis of the tube 8 and also positions the tube 64 so that it is tangentto the inner wall of the bore 68. The tube 64 is frictionally held in place within the offset section 74, and in addition there are ribs 76, 76, 76 in the bore of the spike tube 54 that help retain the tube 64 in position. The upper end of the tube 64 abuts a horizontal shoulder 78 at the lower end of the tube member 8, as best seen in FIG. 7, but without closing off the opening at the upper end of the tube 64. It is seen from FIGS. 4 and 6 that the diameter of the section 74 is small compared to that of the section 24 so that communication between the interior 50 and the neubilizing chamber 48 around the section 74 is relatively unobstructed.

With continuing reference to FIG. 7 there is shown a passage-forming arrangement that provides communication between the nebulizing chamber 48 and the gas and solution supplies whereby a mixture of gas and liquid can be caused to flow into the nebulizing chamber 48. More particularly, the lower end or base of the tube 8 has a nozzle with an opening 80 that communicates with a frusto-conical mixing chamber 82. This mixing chamber 82 is in communication with the open upper end of the liquid supply tube 64 through a cavity 84. Below the mixing chamber 82 is an orifice 86 which is in alignment with a bulb in the nebulizing chamber, the bulb having a spherical surface 88.

Assuming that the connector is coupled to the gas supply and that the connector is also mounted on the intravenous solution bottle stopper 62, all as shown in FIG. 4, the gas pressure isset at a suitable magnitude, for

instance

8 or 10 pounds per square inch. The gas flows through the bore 22 and through the nozzle opening 80 and into the mixing chamber 82. This creates a vacuum in the cavity 84 and hence a vacuum in the liquid supply tube 64. Consequently, liquid is drawn upwardly from the bottle 66 and into the tube 64 and flows into the mixing chamber 82. The mixed gas and liquid flows through the orifice 86 and strikes the spherical surface 88 causing the mixture to nebulize, namely to break up into a fog of tiny droplets. A flexible hose 90 is telescoped over the upper end of the tubular section 46 for conveying the nebulized gas to the patient.

The concentration of the gas can be readily adjusted by simply rotating the body portion 6 (together with the parts suspended therewith) on the flange 30. In doing so a greater or lesser number of openings 42 will be presented to the open upper end of the half tube 36. Consequently, the amount of ambient air drawn into the bore 50 and the nebulizing chamber can be adjusted for mixing with the nebulized gas. This makes it a relatively simple matter to control the concentration of the gas that is delivered to the patient. The interfit between the bead 26 and the peripheral part 28 should be snug enough so that the position of the body portion 6 relative to the body portion 4 cannot readily be disturbed accidentially. Nevertheless, the body portion 6 should be able to be rotated manually with a modicum of force.

In any nebulizing system there is a certain amount of rainout that is caused by condensation within or adjacent to the nebulizing chamber. This rainout will drain downwardly due to the incline of the tubular section 46. Furthermore, the rainout finds an easy flow path .through the opening 70 and the bore 68 for return to the solution bottle while still preserving the sterility of the rainout solution. The vacuum formed in the bottle aids in sucking the rainout back into the bottle.

The bottle 66 is typically a glass container that constitutes a reservoir for the liquid, which may be sterile water, or medicated solution. At its upper end, the bottle 66 is of standard construction. There is an opening 92 of standard size for receiving the stopper 62. The stopper is of rubber or rubber-like material and is held in place by a metal clamping ring 94 that underlies the top bead 96 of the bottle and overlies the peripheral flange 98 of the stopper. The stopper also conventionally includes a central cylindrical hole 100 which opens at the bottom of the stopper but is closed off at its top to provide a membrane 102 that is adapted to be pierced when access to the solution within the bottle is desired lf the exposed part of the stopper is not covered to preserve sterility, the top of the membrane 62 may be wiped with an alcohol swab immediately prior to piercing the same. The external diameter of the tube 64 is substantially less than the diameter of the hole 100 whereas the external diameter of the spike tube 54 between the barbs 58 and the surface 60 is preferably slightly greater than the diameter of the hole 100. Also the distance between the barbs 58 and the surface 60 is preferably slightly less than the overall thickness of the stopper.

Thus, in mounting the connection 2 onto the intravenous solution bottle, the tapered end 72 of the liquid supply tube 64 is first caused to pierce the membrane 102, as shown in FIG. 3. Subsequently, the spike 54 enlarges the hole made by the water supply tube so that only the one opening is formed in the stopper and this opening is approximately the size of the membrane 62. When the spike seats in its final position as shown in FIG. 4, a seal is formed between the spike and the stopper. The barbs 58 prevent the spike tube from being pulled out of the stopper.

FIGS. 8-10 show a modified form of nebulizing apparatus and wherein parts similar to those previously described are identified by the same reference characters. In this form of the invention the upper body portion 4a includes a tubular member 8a that is in communication with the gas supply outlet 14. The tubular member has an annular bead 104 that snap fits into a correspondingly shaped annular recess near the upper open end of a sleeve 106 formed centrally of the lower body portion 6a. This arrangement retains the tube 80 telescoped within the sleeve 106. The lower portion 6a is generally Y-shaped and included a tubular section 46a and an offset tubular section 108 that cooperate to define a nebulizing chamber 480. The spike 54 forms the vertical leg of the Y and, as before, receives the water supply tube 64 and is mounted in the bottle stopper 62.

At the junction of the

tubular sections

46a, 108, there is an enlargement 110 having a bore 112 for receiving and frictionally retaining the water supply tube 64. The enlargement 110 also integrally includes the spherical surface 88. The upper end of the water supply tube 64 is in communication with a cavity 114, which, in turn, communicates with the mixing chamber 82a. Consequently, when the gas flows through the nozzle opening 80 and into the mixing chamber 82 a vacuum iscreated in the cavity 114, thereby drawing liquid upwardly from the solution bottle and into the mixing chamber 821 The mixture is then passed through the orifice 86 after which the mixture strikes the surface 88 and is nebulized. Rainout drains downwardly from both tubular sections 460, 108 and flows into the bore 68 for returning to the solution bottle.

In order to control the amount of ambient air enteringthe nebulizing chamber 48a a cap valve arrangement is provided on the open upper end of the tubular section 108. More particulalrly, the end of the tubular section 108 is formed with opposed notches 116, for receiving opposed tabs 118 that are on a disc 120. A wad offilter material 123 may be inserted in the tubular section 108 underneath the disc 120. The engagement of the tabs 118 with the notches 116 prevents the disc 120 from rotating. This disc 120 has generally sector shaped

holes

122, 122 that provide openings into the tubular section 108. Disposed over the disc 120 is a cap 124 also having generally sector shaped

holes

126, 126. The cap 124 is rotatable on the tubular section 108 whereby the holes 126 in the cap 124 may be positioned so that they overlie, in whole or in part, the

holes 122 in the disc 120 for varying the amount of ambient ai'r taken into the nebulizing chamber 48a. Of

course, the cap 124 may be rotated so that its imperforing first tubular means for connection to a gas supply,

second tubular means having an end portion shaped for piercing the container closure, third tubular means for immersion in the liquid of the container, said third tubular means being telescoped within said second tubular means, said second tubular means having a spike of larger external diameter thanthe external diameter. of said second tubular means so as to enlarge the opening formed upon piercing said closure by said end portion,

- said spike being barbed to prevent accidental withdrawal of the connector from the closure, fourth tubular means having a nebulizing chamber, passageforming means providing communication between said nebulizing chamber and said first and third tubular means, said passage-forming means including a nozzle and a mixing chamber such that gas from said first tubular means will flow through said nozzle and into said mixing chamber and liquid from said third tubular means will flow into said mixing chamber due to vacuum created by the flowing gas, means in said nebulizing chamber for breaking up the flowing gas and liquid mixture into a mass of droplets, adjustable air valve means providing communication between the exterior of said body and said fourth tubular means for regulating the concentration of said gas in said chamber, and means for carrying rainout liquid from said chamber to said container.

'2. A connector according to claim 1 in which said means for carrying the rainout liquid includes said second tubular means and by-passes said third tubular means.

3. A connector according to claim 1 in which said means for breaking up the mixture comprises a bulbous member that is spaced from said mixing chamber and against which the flowing mixture impinges.

4. A connector according to claim 1 in which said adjustable air valve means comprises a flange over an opening in said fourth tubular means, said flange being integral with said first tubular means and having openings over a portion of its area and being imperforate over another portion of its area, said flange and fourth tubular means being relatively rotatable whereby the Openings and imperforate area of the flange serve to control the amount of the opening in said fourth tubular means that is exposed to ambient air.

5. A connector according to claim 1 in which said fourth tubular means has a section with an opening offset from said first tubular means, said opening having a disc therein with spaced holes, and a cap over said disc with spaced holes, the cap being rotatable relative to said disc to control the amount of overlap of the holes in the disc and cap and thereby vary the amount of the opening in said fourth tubular means that is exposed to ambient air.

6. A connector for use in a system that supplies nebulized gas to a patient and which includes a container with liquid and an opening with a closure therein, said connector comprising a body having means for connection to a gas supply and having nozzle means, a tubular spike member with an end having means for piercing the closure to insert said tubular spike member through said closure, a tube in communication with said gas supply connecting means and being joined to said body, said tube being within and extending beyond said end of the tubular spike member for immersion into the liquid to carry liquid therefrom to said nozzle means,

a means forming a nebulizing chamber within said body for receiving a mixture of the gas and liquid, adjustable air valve means to add additional air to said chamber,

and drain means to carry rainout liquid from said nebulizing chamber back into said container; said adjustable air valve means comprising a flange on said gas supply connection means, said flange having openings over a' portion of its area and being imperforate over another portion of its area, said flange having means for rotatably suspending said body at an open end thereof that communicates with said chamber.

' 7. A connector for use in a gas nebulizing system comprising a body having means for connection to a gas supply, tubular means for immersion into a liquid, means cooperable with liquid and gas for producing in a chamber of said body a nebulized mixture of the gas and liquid, additional tubular means forming an opening in said body for communication with said chamber to admit ambient air into said body for mixture with the nebulized gas, and valve means for controlling the effective size of said opening; said valve means comprising'a flange on said gas supply connection means in rotatable connection with said additional tubular means, said flange being disposed across said opening, said opening being formed by only afractional part of the cross section of an end of said additional tubular means, and said flange having perforations over only a fractional portion of its area such that in one position of the flange relative to the opening the valve is in a fully opened condition and in a second position of the flange relative to the opening the valve is fully closed, said positions being apart.

8. Apparatus for administering nebulized gas to a patient comprising a container with liquid and having an opening with a closure thereacross, a connector having a body with a chamber and means for connection to a gas supply, a tubular member in said body having means at one end for piercing the closure and projecting through said stopper, a liquid supply tube in said tubular member and being in communication with said gas supply connection means, said liquid supply tube extending beyond said end of the tubular member and being immersed in said liquid, said tube having an end with piercing means whereby the closure is first pierced thereby and then the hole is enlarged by the piercing of the closure by said tubular member, means for creating nebulized gas in said chamber, said means including nozzle means communicating with the said gas supply means and said liquid supply means, said chamber surrounding the said gas supply means, valve means for controlling additional air to regulate the concentration of gas, means for conveying rainout liquid in the said chamber back into the said container, said valve means including a perforated flange on said gas supply connection means and means for rotatably suspending said body and said container from said gas supply connection means such that the relative orientation of said body and container determine the amount of opening of said valve means, and means to convey the nebulized gas out of said chamber.

Claims

1. A connector for use in a gas nebulizing system that includes a container with liquid and an opening with a closure therein, said connector comprising a body having first tubular means for connection to a gas supply, second tubular means having an end portion shaped for piercing the container closure, third tubular means for immersion in the liquid of the container, said third tubular means being telescoped within said second tubular means, said second tubular means having a spike of larger external diameter than the external diameter of said second tubular means so as to enlarge the opening formed upon piercing said closure by said end portion, said spike being barbed to prevent accidental withdrawal of the connector from the closure, fourth tubular means having a nebulizing chamber, passage-forming means providing communication between said nebulizing chamber and said first and third tubular means, said passage-forming means including a nozzle and a mixing chamber such that gas from said first tubular means will flow through said nozzle and into said mixing chamber and liquid from said third tubular means will flow into said mixing chamber due to vacuum created by the flowing gas, means in said nebulizing chamber for breaking up the flowing gas and liquid mixture into a mass of droplets, adjustable air valve means providing communication between the exterior of said body and said fourth tubular means for regulating the concentration of said gas in said chamber, and means for carrying rainout liquid from said chamber to said container.

2. A connector according to claim 1 in which said means for carrying the rainout liquid includes said second tubular means and by-passes said third tubular means.

7. A connector for use in a gas nebulizing system comprising a body having means for connection to a gas supply, tubular means for immersion into a liquid, means cooperable with liquid and gas for producing in a chamber of said body a nebulized mixture of the gas and liquid, additional tubular means forming an opening in said body for communication with said chamber to admit ambient air into said body for mixture with the nebulized gas, and valve means for controlling the effective size of said opening; said valve means comprising a flange on said gas supply connection means in rotatable connection with said additional tubular means, said flange being disposed across said opening, said opening being formed by only a fractional part of the cross section of an end of said additional tubular means, and said flange having perforations over only a fractional portion of its area such that in one position of the flange relative to the opening the valve is in a fully opened condition and in a second position of the flange relative to the opening the valve is fully closed, said positions being 180* apart.