WO2021079641A1

WO2021079641A1 - Oxygen concentrator

Info

Publication number: WO2021079641A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/034303
Authority: WO
Inventors: 啓太近藤; 平野　智也
Original assignee: ダイキン工業株式会社
Priority date: 2019-10-25
Filing date: 2020-09-10
Publication date: 2021-04-29
Also published as: JP7165113B2; CN114641330A; JP2021065516A

Abstract

Oxygen concentrators M1 and M2 feed air to an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen and feed the resulting highly concentrated oxygen gas to a user. The oxygen concentrators are provided with: an intake part 3 for suctioning the exhaled gas from a user; and an exhaled gas detector 4 for detecting component information of the suctioned exhaled gas from the user.

Description

Oxygen concentrator

This disclosure relates to an oxygen concentrator. More specifically, the present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator that generates a high-concentration oxygen gas containing oxygen having a concentration higher than that of the oxygen in the air and supplies it to the user.

An oxygen concentrator is known that generates a high-concentration oxygen gas containing oxygen having a concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in the air, stores it in an oxygen tank, and supplies the high-concentration oxygen gas to the user from the oxygen tank. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). Such an oxygen concentrator is used, for example, in home oxygen therapy performed by a patient (user) who has a disease in the lung and the function of the lung is deteriorated.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-54954

The conventional oxygen concentrator only supplies high-concentration oxygen gas to the patient, and the device itself cannot grasp the patient's condition. In other words, the device did not know whether the patient's symptoms improved, remained the same, or worsened as a result of the administration of high-concentration oxygen gas. Therefore, even if there is a lack of oxygen or ventilation failure in which carbon dioxide is accumulated in the body, it is only possible to continue supplying high-concentration oxygen gas at the same flow rate.

The object of the present disclosure is to provide an oxygen concentrator capable of grasping the state of the user through the exhaled gas of the user.

The oxygen concentrator of the present disclosure is
(1) An oxygen concentrator that supplies air to an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen and supplies the generated high-concentration oxygen gas to the user.
An intake unit that sucks the user's exhaled gas into the device,
It is equipped with an exhaled gas detection unit that detects component information of the sucked user's exhaled gas.

In the oxygen concentrator of the present disclosure, the component information of the user's exhaled gas sucked into the device is detected by the exhaled gas detection unit. From the detected breath gas component information, it is possible to grasp the state of the user, including, for example, whether the user is in a state of oxygen deficiency or a state of insufficiency of ventilation. Then, it is possible to take measures such as changing the flow rate of the high-concentration oxygen gas supplied to the user according to the grasped state of the user. In the present specification, the "high-concentration oxygen gas" means a gas having an oxygen concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in the air (about 21%: volume content), for example, about 40 to 95%. Means a gas with an oxygen concentration of.

(2) In the oxygen concentrator of the above (1), it is desirable to supply high-concentration oxygen gas at the time of inspiration and suck the exhaled gas at the time of exhalation in synchronization with the user's respiration. By supplying high-concentration oxygen gas and sucking exhaled gas in synchronization with the user's breathing, the supply and suction can be performed efficiently.

(3) In the oxygen concentrator according to (1) or (2), it is desirable that the air compressor that generates the air also serves as the intake unit. The air compressor used to generate pressurized air in the oxygen concentrator also serves as a suction unit for sucking the user's exhaled gas, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the device can be miniaturized.

(4) In the oxygen concentrators (1) to (3), it is desirable that a filter is provided in the flow path of the exhaled gas on the upstream side of the intake unit. By providing the filter in the flow path of the exhaled gas, it is possible to limit the range of contact of the exhaled gas of the user in the apparatus. As a result, when another user uses the oxygen concentrator, the number of parts to be cleaned or replaced to prevent infection can be reduced, and the flow path to be cleaned or replaced can be shortened. Further, by collecting the components contained in the breath gas of the user for a long period of time with a filter, it is possible to detect the disease of the user at an early stage.

(5) In the oxygen concentrators (1) to (4), it is desirable that a check valve is provided in the flow path of the exhaled gas on the upstream side of the exhaled gas detecting unit. The check valve can prevent the user's exhaled gas that has flowed to the exhaled gas detection unit from flowing back to the upstream side of the exhaled gas detection unit.

(6) In the oxygen concentrators (1) to (5), it is desirable that a vacuum tank is provided in the flow path between the intake unit and the exhaled gas detection unit. By providing a vacuum tank, the load on the intake portion can be leveled and energy efficiency can be improved.

(7) In the oxygen concentrators (1) to (6), the breath gas detection unit can be a CO ₂ _{sensor that measures the CO 2 concentration of the user's breath gas.} The CO ₂ sensor can measure the _{CO 2} concentration contained in the user's exhaled gas.

(8) In the oxygen concentrators (1) to (6), the breath gas detection unit can be an oxygen sensor for measuring the oxygen concentration of the user's breath gas. The oxygen sensor can measure the oxygen concentration in the user's exhaled gas.

(9) In the oxygen concentrators (1) to (6), the exhaled gas detection unit can be a hydrogen sensor for measuring the hydrogen concentration of the exhaled gas of the user. The hydrogen sensor can measure the concentration of hydrogen contained in the user's exhaled gas.

(10) In the oxygen concentrators (1) to (9), it is desirable to change the flow rate of the high-concentration oxygen gas supplied to the user according to the component information detected by the exhaled gas detection unit. By changing the flow rate of the high-concentration oxygen gas supplied to the user according to the component information of the breath gas of the user, oxygen can be supplied according to the state of the user. For example, the flow rate of high-concentration oxygen gas can be increased for a user who is considered to be deficient in oxygen.

(11) The oxygen concentrators (1) to (10) are further provided with an alarm unit.
It is desirable that the control unit causes the alarm unit to issue an alarm according to the component information detected by the exhaled gas detection unit. By issuing an alarm, it is possible to notify the user that the current state is not a normal state and take measures such as changing the flow rate of the high-concentration oxygen gas.

(12) It is desirable that the oxygen concentrators (1) to (11) have a communication function capable of providing information on components detected by the exhaled gas detection unit to a doctor or the like via a communication device. .. As a result, the doctor or the like can grasp the state of the user who uses the oxygen concentrator, and can give an instruction such as changing the gas flow rate to the user as needed.

(13) In the oxygen concentrators (1) to (12), a flow path for supplying high-concentration oxygen gas to the user and a flow path for sucking the exhaled gas of the user are provided independently. Is desirable. By making the flow path of the high-concentration oxygen gas and the flow path of the exhaled gas independent from each other, contamination (mixing or mixing) of the high-concentration oxygen gas and the exhaled gas can be suppressed.

(14) In the oxygen concentrator according to (13), it is desirable that the high-concentration oxygen gas supply port and the exhaled gas acquisition port provided in the casing of the oxygen concentrator have different shapes. By making the shapes of the high-concentration oxygen gas supply port and the exhaled gas acquisition port different from each other, it is possible to prevent the gas flow path made of a tube or the like from being connected to an incorrect location.

It is explanatory drawing of one Embodiment of the oxygen concentrator of this disclosure. It is a block diagram of the oxygen concentrator shown in FIG. 1 for explaining an oxygen concentrator process. It is a figure explaining the pressure change of one cycle of the suction cylinder and the switching state of the solenoid valve of an oxygen concentrator. It is a block diagram of the oxygen concentrator shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of the respiratory flow rate of a user, and the switching state of the solenoid valve of the oxygen concentrator shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the other embodiment of the oxygen concentrator of this disclosure. It is a block diagram of the oxygen concentrator shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of the respiratory flow rate of a user, and the switching state of the solenoid valve of the oxygen concentrator shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the modification of the oxygen concentrator shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the oxygen concentrator of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an oxygen concentrator M1 according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is an oxygen concentrator M1 shown in FIG. 1 for explaining an oxygen concentrator process. It is a block diagram of. In addition, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 described later, in order to make it easier to understand, the representation of a part of the configuration or element shown in FIG. 1 is simplified or not shown.

[Overall configuration of device]
First, the overall configuration of the oxygen concentrator M1 will be described.
The oxygen concentrator M1 is a device that generates a high-concentration oxygen gas having an oxygen concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in the air and supplies it to the user. The oxygen concentrator M1 is used, for example, in home oxygen therapy that provides a high-concentration oxygen gas to a user, a patient with a respiratory disease, or the like.

The oxygen concentrator M1 provides information on the components of the patient's exhaled gas, the first adsorption cylinder 1 and the second adsorption cylinder 2, the air compressor 3 that supplies pressurized air to the first adsorption cylinder 1 and the second adsorption cylinder 2. It is provided with an exhaled gas detection unit 4 for detecting. The air compressor 3 in the present embodiment is a pressurized / vacuum combined type air compressor capable of pressurizing and sucking a gas such as air. The air compressor 3 supplies pressurized air to the first adsorption cylinder 1 and the second adsorption cylinder 2, desorbs and exhausts the adsorbed nitrogen-rich gas by depressurization, and also serves as an intake unit that sucks the exhaled gas of the patient into the apparatus. Function. By using the pressurized / vacuum combined type air compressor 3, as compared with the case where a vacuum pump as an intake unit is provided in the apparatus separately from the air compressor that supplies pressurized air (second embodiment described later). Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced and the size of the device can be reduced.

The oxygen concentrator M1 further includes an oxygen tank 5 for storing high-concentration oxygen gas, a humidifier 6 for humidifying high-concentration oxygen gas, a breathing detection unit 7 for detecting the exhalation and inspiration of a patient, and a vacuum tank 8. , The alarm unit 42 is provided. The operation of the air compressor 3 and the operation of various solenoid valves and the like, which will be described later, are performed by the control unit 40 arranged in the apparatus. The control unit 40 includes a storage unit 40a in which a program for operating the oxygen concentrator M1 is stored, and a calculation unit 40b for transmitting an operation signal of an electromagnetic valve or the like. The alarm unit 42 issues an alarm based on an instruction from the calculation unit 40b according to the component information of the exhaled gas of the patient detected by the exhaled gas detection unit 4. The alarm can be given by displaying on the operation panel (not shown) that operates the oxygen concentrator M1 to the effect that the current state of the patient is not normal, by voice, by blinking the lamp, or the like. The patient who receives this alarm can take measures such as changing the flow rate of high-concentration oxygen gas within the range of the doctor's guidance. Further, the component information can be provided to a doctor or the like by using a communication function or the like separately provided. The doctor or the like who received the information can instruct the user to change the flow rate of the high-concentration oxygen gas as necessary.

The air compressor 3 is housed in a compressor box 10 arranged in the casing 9 of the oxygen concentrator M1. In the compressor box 10, the flow of pressurized air from the air compressor 3 to the first suction cylinder 1 and the second suction cylinder 2, and the disposal from the first suction cylinder 1 and the second suction cylinder 2 to the air compressor 3. A control valve 11 for controlling the flow of gas, a pair of cooling

fans

12a and 12b for cooling the air compressor 3, an intake muffling box 13, and an exhaust muffler 14 are provided. The control valve 11 in the present embodiment is composed of a solenoid valve A which is a 3-port valve and a solenoid valve B which is also a 3-port valve. In FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, the numbers "1", "2" or "3" in the vicinity of the marking indicating the valve indicate the port number of the valve. The 3-port valve is numbered from 1 to 3, and the 2-port valve is numbered 1 and 2.

A dustproof filter 15 for collecting dust and the like contained in the external air introduced into the apparatus is provided at the air inlet (not shown) of the casing 9. The air from the outside that has passed through the dustproof filter 15 and is introduced into the casing 9 passes through the intake filter 16 provided in the opening (not shown) of the compressor box 10 and is sucked into the air compressor 3. .. The intake muffling box 13 is arranged in the air flow path from the intake filter 16 to the air compressor 3, and reduces noise caused by air supply / compression of the air compressor 3.

The air compressed and pressurized by the air compressor 3 (pressurized air) is supplied to the first suction cylinder 1 and the second suction cylinder 2 via the control valve A and the control valve B. Further, the waste gas from the first suction cylinder 1 and the second suction cylinder 2 is decompressed and sucked by the air compressor 3 via the control valve A and the control valve B, and discharged to the outside via the exhaust muffler 14. To.
The heat of the air compressor 3 generated by the operation is sucked into the compressor box 10 by the cooling

fans

12a and 12b via the air inlet of the casing 9 and the opening 17 of the compressor box 10, and is sucked into the air compressor 3. It is cooled by the blown air.

Inside the first adsorption cylinder 1 and the second adsorption cylinder 2, an adsorbent that selectively or preferentially adsorbs nitrogen in the pressurized air supplied from the air compressor 3 is housed. As the adsorbent, for example, zeolite or the like can be used. The details of the oxygen concentration process using the first adsorption cylinder 1 and the second adsorption cylinder 2 will be described later.

The flow path on the downstream side of the first adsorption cylinder 1 and the second adsorption cylinder 2 (the flow path on the outlet side of the high-concentration oxygen gas. In FIG. 1, from the lower part of the first adsorption cylinder 1 and the second adsorption cylinder 2 to the oxygen outlet 41. Various valves for controlling the flow rate or flow of a fluid such as high-concentration oxygen gas, that is, a purge valve 18, a

check valve

19, 20, a pressure reducing valve 21, and a solenoid valve which is a 3-port valve. C1 and a solenoid valve C2 which is a 2-port valve are provided. A flow rate adjusting unit 22 for adjusting the flow rate of the high-concentration oxygen gas is provided on the downstream side of the pressure reducing valve 21. As the flow rate adjusting unit 22, a flow rate proportional valve capable of adjusting the gas flow rate can be used. The oxygen tank 5 is provided on the upstream side of the pressure reducing valve 21 and on the downstream side of the

check valves

19 and 20. Further, a pressure sensor 23 for detecting a pressure abnormality or the like is provided in the gas flow path between the

check valves

19 and 20 and the oxygen tank 5.

The oxygen concentrator M1 according to the present embodiment is a VPSA (VPSA) that reduces the pressure by sucking the other suction cylinder with the air compressor 3 while the air compressed by the air compressor 3 is being supplied to one suction cylinder. Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption System) type oxygen concentrator. However, the oxygen concentrator of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and PSA is depressurized by opening the other adsorption cylinder to the atmosphere while the air compressed by the air compressor is supplied to one adsorption cylinder. It can also be a (Pressure Swing Adsorption System) type oxygen concentrator.

The solenoid valve A and the solenoid valve B are both 3-port valves, and are in a pressurized state in which the pressurized air discharged from the air compressor 3 is supplied to the first suction cylinder 1 (second suction cylinder 2) and are sucked. This switches between a reduced pressure state in which the waste gas in the first suction cylinder 1 (second suction cylinder 2) is discharged to the outside. When one suction cylinder is in a pressurized state, the other suction cylinder is in a depressurized state.

The check valve 19 is arranged in the gas flow path on the downstream side of the first suction cylinder 1, and the check valve 20 is arranged in the gas flow path on the downstream side of the second suction cylinder 2. Both

check valves

19 and 20 are configured so that the high-concentration oxygen gas discharged from the first suction cylinder 1 and the second suction cylinder 2 flows only toward the downstream side. The purge valve 18 is arranged in a gas flow path connecting the gas flow path between the first suction cylinder 1 and the check valve 19 and the gas flow path between the second suction cylinder 2 and the check valve 20. It is installed.

The high-concentration oxygen gas from the check valve 19 and the high-concentration oxygen gas from the check valve 20 are alternately supplied to the oxygen tank 5 and stored in the oxygen tank 5. On the downstream side of the oxygen tank 5, a pressure reducing valve 21 for reducing the pressure of the high-concentration oxygen gas from the oxygen tank 5 and a flow rate adjusting unit 22 for adjusting the flow rate of the high-concentration oxygen gas are provided. The high-concentration oxygen gas whose flow rate is adjusted by the flow rate adjusting unit 22 is supplied to the humidifier 6 via an oxygen sensor 24 for detecting an oxygen concentration abnormality and a bacterial filter 25 for removing foreign substances from the high-concentration oxygen gas. To.

The high-concentration oxygen gas humidified by the humidifier 6 is supplied to the high-concentration oxygen gas fixed to the oxygen outlet 41 of the casing 9 via the solenoid valve C1 which is a 3-port valve and the solenoid valve C2 which is a 2-port valve. It is supplied to the patient via a tube (not shown) connected to port 26. High-concentration oxygen gas is supplied to the patient through the cannula C (see FIG. 2) worn by the patient, and the exhaled gas of the patient is sucked into the device through the cannula C.

A respiration detection unit 7 is provided in the gas flow path between the solenoid valve C2 and the high-concentration oxygen gas supply port 26. Based on the patient's exhalation and inspiration detected by the breathing detection unit 7, the timing of supplying the high-concentration oxygen gas to the patient and sucking the patient's exhaled gas into the device is controlled. As the breathing detection unit 7, a pressure sensor that detects a pressure change due to exhalation or inspiration of the patient can be used.

In the present embodiment, the high-concentration oxygen gas supply port 26 that supplies the high-concentration oxygen gas to the patient also serves as an exhaled gas acquisition port for sucking the exhaled gas of the patient into the apparatus and acquiring the exhaled gas. There is. The supply of high-concentration oxygen gas and the suction (acquisition) of exhaled gas are performed at different timings, as will be described later.

The patient's breath gas sucked into the apparatus is introduced into the breath gas detection unit 4 through the solenoid valve C2, the solenoid valve C1 and the check valve 27, and the component information of the patient's breath gas is introduced in the breath gas detection unit 4. Is detected. The breath gas detection unit 4 includes, for example, a CO2 sensor that measures the CO2 concentration of the patient's breath gas, an oxygen sensor that measures the oxygen concentration, a hydrogen sensor that measures the hydrogen concentration, an ammonia sensor that measures the ammonia concentration, and a nitrogen monoxide concentration. A nitrogen monoxide sensor or the like for measuring the above can be used. One type of sensor may be used as the exhaled gas detection unit 4, or two or more types of sensors may be used. By providing the check valve 27 on the upstream side of the exhaled gas detection unit 4, it is possible to prevent the exhaled gas of the patient flowing through the exhaled gas detection unit 4 from flowing back to the upstream side of the exhaled gas detection unit 4. ..

The exhaled gas discharged from the exhaled gas detection unit 4 after the component information is detected is sucked into the air compressor 3 through the solenoid valve E, the filter 28, the vacuum tank 8, and the solenoid valve D, and the exhaust muffler is sucked by the air compressor 3. It is discharged to the outside via 14. By providing the filter 28 in the flow path of the exhaled gas, it is possible to limit the range of contact of the exhaled gas of the patient in the apparatus. As a result, when a patient who is another user uses the oxygen concentrator M1, the number of parts to be cleaned or replaced to prevent infection can be reduced, and the gas flow path to be cleaned or replaced can be shortened. In addition, by collecting the components contained in the exhaled gas of the patient for a long period of time with the filter 28, it is possible to discover the exhaled gas components that are normally extremely minute and cannot be detected. Further, by providing the vacuum tank 8, the load of the air compressor 3 can be leveled and the energy efficiency can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the exhaled gas detection unit 4 including various sensors such _{as the CO 2} sensor described above obtains the component information of the exhaled gas of the patient acquired in the apparatus. Based on the component information of the exhaled gas of the patient obtained by the exhaled gas detection unit 4, the state of the patient, more specifically, the health state can be grasped. _{For example, by measuring the CO 2} concentration in the patient's exhaled gas, _{whether or not the CO 2} produced in the patient's body in the process of consuming oxygen for energy production is normally excreted from the body by respiration. Can be determined. In addition, by measuring the oxygen concentration in the exhaled gas with an oxygen sensor, it is necessary to confirm the lung function and metabolic circulation information, including whether the oxygen in the high-concentration oxygen gas supplied with inspiration is effectively taken into the body. Can be done.

In addition, by measuring the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in the exhaled gas with a nitric oxide sensor, it is possible to detect airway inflammation (asthma) at an early stage, and further, the concentration of ammonia in the exhaled gas can be measured. By measuring with an ammonia sensor, it is possible to detect the state of liver and renal function and signs of gastric cancer at an early stage. In addition, by measuring the concentration of hydrogen gas in the exhaled gas with a hydrogen sensor, it is possible to utilize the measured values obtained in the evaluation of the intestinal environment, the medical examination of the digestive organ system, the medical examination, and the like.

The component information includes the pressure (partial pressure) of the gas in addition to the concentration of the specific type of gas in the exhaled gas. For example, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the exhaled gas (PetCO ₂ : partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the end of exhalation, etc.) is measured by the absorbance of infrared rays, and by measuring with an optical sensor as an exhaled gas detector, the patient is not ventilated. And hypoventilation can be detected early. By measuring the exhaled gas component, the function equivalent to that of non-intubated capnography can be achieved.

[Oxygen concentration process]
Next, a process for generating a high-concentration oxygen gas using the oxygen concentrator M1 described above will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the oxygen concentrator M1 shown in FIG. 1 for explaining the oxygen concentrator process, and FIG. 3 shows a one-cycle pressure change of the adsorption cylinder and switching of the electromagnetic valve of the oxygen concentrator M1. It is a figure explaining a state. In FIG. 3, the upper figure shows the open / closed state of each step of the solenoid valve A, the solenoid valve B, the purge valve 18, and the solenoid valve D related to the oxygen concentrator process, and the lower figure shows the first suction cylinder. It shows the pressure change in the 1st and 2nd suction cylinders 2. In the lower figure, the thick solid line shows the pressure change inside the first suction cylinder 1, and the thin solid line shows the pressure change inside the second suction cylinder 2. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the pressurizing step in the suction cylinder is performed in the order of the first suction cylinder 1 and the second suction cylinder. Further, in FIG. 3, one cycle of the first adsorption cylinder 1 is processed in the period indicated by “T”. This one-cycle process includes six steps from "T1" to "T6" shown in the upper figure.

In FIG. 2, the numbers attached to the blocks indicating the solenoid valve A, the solenoid valve B, the purge valve 18, and the solenoid valve D indicate the port numbers in each valve as described above. Since the solenoid valve A and the solenoid valve B are 3-port valves, three numbers from 1 to 3 are attached, and since the purge valve 18 and the solenoid valve D are 2-port valves, 2 from 1 to 2 are attached. Two numbers are attached. In the upper diagram of FIG. 3, for example, when "1 → 2" of the solenoid valve A is "open", the port indicated by "1" to the port indicated by "2" in the solenoid valve A are in a communicating state. It shows that it is in. At this time, in the solenoid valve A, the port indicated by "2" to the port indicated by "3" are in a non-communication state.

In the lower figure of FIG. 3, the horizontal axis shows the passage of time, and in the same figure, the passage of time is from the left side to the right side.
In step T1, the purge valve 18 and the solenoid valve D are in the “open” state, and the high-concentration oxygen gas in the second suction cylinder 2 is supplied from the second suction cylinder 2 to the first suction cylinder 1 and at the same time. The air compressor 3 evacuates the vacuum tank 8. In this step T1, since the ports "2" to "3" of the solenoid valve A and the solenoid valve B are both in the "closed" state, the inside of the first suction cylinder 1 and the second suction cylinder 2 is sucked. There is no such thing. The suction of the first suction cylinder 1, the second suction cylinder 2, and the vacuum tank 8 is performed so that the timings are shifted from each other by controlling the opening and closing of the valve.

In the following step T2, the ports "1" to "2" of the solenoid valve A and the ports "2" to "3" of the solenoid valve B are in the "open" state, and the first suction cylinder by the air compressor 3 is used. The pressurization of 1 and the depressurization of the second suction cylinder 2 are performed. In this step T2, the purge valve 18 and the solenoid valve D, which were in the “open” state in step T1, are in the “closed” state. In the first adsorption cylinder 1 to which the pressurized air is supplied and put into a pressurized state, nitrogen contained in the pressurized air is adsorbed by the adsorbent contained in the first adsorption cylinder 1. As a result, the gas in the first adsorption cylinder 1 becomes a high-concentration oxygen gas having an oxygen concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in normal air.

In the subsequent step T3, the purge valve 18 is in the "open" state, and the high-concentration oxygen gas in the first suction cylinder 1 is supplied into the second suction cylinder 2 via the purge valve 18.

In the following step T4, the ports "2" to "3" of the solenoid valve A and the ports "2" to "3" of the solenoid valve B are in the "closed" state, and the solenoid valve D is "open". It is in a state. In step T4, the supply of high-concentration oxygen gas from the first suction cylinder 1 to the second suction cylinder 2 in step T3 is continued, and the vacuum tank 8 is evacuated by the air compressor 3.

In the following step T5, the ports "2" to "3" of the solenoid valve A and the ports "1" to "2" of the solenoid valve B are in the "open" state, and the second suction cylinder by the air compressor 3 is used. The pressurization of No. 2 and the depressurization of the first suction cylinder 1 are performed. In this step T4, the purge valve 18 and the solenoid valve D, which were in the “open” state in step T3, are in the “closed” state. In the second adsorption cylinder 2 to which the pressurized air is supplied and put into a pressurized state, the nitrogen contained in the pressurized air is adsorbed by the adsorbent contained in the second adsorption cylinder 2. As a result, the gas in the second adsorption cylinder 2 becomes a high-concentration oxygen gas having an oxygen concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in normal air.

In the subsequent step T6, the purge valve 18 is in the "open" state, and the high-concentration oxygen gas in the second suction cylinder 2 is supplied into the first suction cylinder 1 via the purge valve 18. After that, the above-mentioned steps T1 to T6 are repeated. By repeating these steps T1 to T6, high-concentration oxygen gas is generated and supplied to the oxygen tank 5.

[Acquisition of exhaled gas]
Next, the acquisition of the exhaled gas of the patient performed by using the oxygen concentrator M1 described above will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the oxygen concentrator shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the respiratory flow rate of the patient and a switching state of the solenoid valve of the oxygen concentrator shown in FIG. .. In FIG. 5, the upper figure shows the steps of solenoid valve C1, solenoid valve C2, and solenoid valve E related to the supply of high-concentration oxygen gas to the patient and the acquisition of the patient's exhaled gas (suction into the apparatus). The open / closed state is shown, and the lower figure shows an example of the patient's respiratory flow. In the lower figure of FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time, and the time has elapsed from the left side to the right side in the figure. In FIG. 4, the solenoid valve A, the solenoid valve B, and the solenoid valve D are not related to each operation of supplying high-concentration oxygen gas and acquiring exhaled gas based on the breathing detection of the patient, and are not related to the above-mentioned oxygen concentration process. Manipulated in.

First, step T11 is a state of waiting for the patient to inhale, the ports "2" to the ports "3" of the solenoid valve C1 which is a 3-port valve are in the "closed" state, and the solenoid valve C2 is also in the "closed" state. Is.

When the breathing detection unit 7 detects the patient's inspiration, the detection signal is transmitted to the calculation unit 40b, and the calculation unit 40b that receives the detection signal transmits the operation signal to the solenoid valve C2. Based on this operation signal, the solenoid valve C2 changes from "closed" to "open", and high-concentration oxygen gas is supplied to the patient (step T12).

The supply of high-concentration oxygen gas to a patient is not performed over the entire time that the patient is inhaling. The human respiratory pathway from the nose or mouth to the lungs has a portion called the "dead space" that does not contribute to actual breathing. Even if high-concentration oxygen gas is supplied to this dead space, it is not used for human respiration. Further, the gas accumulated (remaining) in the dead space portion is not the gas after human respiration, so it cannot be said to be exhaled gas. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the high-concentration oxygen gas is supplied only for a part of the inspiratory time of the patient, and the exhaled gas is acquired only for a part of the exhaled time of the patient as described later.

The ratio of inspiratory time to expiratory time in human respiration is usually 1: 2, and one respiratory time can be calculated from the patient's respiratory rate, and the inspiratory time and expiratory time can be estimated from this respiratory time. it can. Then, the opening / closing operation of the solenoid valve or the like can be controlled so that the high-concentration oxygen gas is supplied only for a part of the estimated inspiratory time and the exhaled gas is acquired only for a part of the estimated expiratory time. For example, in the case of a patient who breathes 20 times per minute, the inspiratory time and the expiratory time in one breath of the patient can be estimated to be 1 second and 2 seconds, respectively. Then, out of the intake time of 1 second, for example, 0.6 seconds, which is 60%, can be set as the supply time of the high-concentration oxygen gas. Similarly, out of the exhalation time of 2 seconds, for example, 0.6 seconds, which is 30%, can be used as the exhalation gas acquisition time. The ratio of 60% or 30% can be appropriately selected based on data and empirical values. In the case of the present embodiment, the time of step T12 described above can be set to, for example, 0.6 seconds. Further, the time for acquiring the exhaled breath in step T16, which will be described later, can be set to 0.6 seconds.

The following step T13 is a waiting time, and can be set in consideration of the discharge time of the high-concentration oxygen gas in the tube, which will be described later. In this step T13, the ports "2" to the ports "3" of the solenoid valve C1 are in the "open" state, and the solenoid valve C2 is in the "closed" state.

In the subsequent step T14, the high-concentration oxygen gas remaining in the gas flow path or tube from the solenoid valve C1 to the patient's cannula C is discharged. In this step T14, the ports "2" to the ports "3" of the solenoid valve C1 are in the "open" state, and the solenoid valve C2 is also in the "open" state. Further, the ports "2" to the ports "3" of the solenoid valve E located downstream of the exhaled gas detection unit 4 are in the "open" state. Therefore, the high-concentration oxygen gas remaining in the gas flow path or tube from the solenoid valve C1 to the patient's cannula C bypasses the exhaled gas detection unit 4 by the vacuum tank 8 and passes through the solenoid valve E and the filter 28. It is sucked into the vacuum tank 8.

Subsequent step T15 is a state of waiting for exhalation of the patient, ports "2" to "3" of the solenoid valve C1 which is a 3-port valve are in an "open" state, and in step T14, they are in an "open" state. The solenoid valve C2 is in the "closed" state. Further, the ports "1" to "2" of the solenoid valve E are in the "open" state.

When the breathing detection unit 7 detects the exhaled breath of the patient, the detection signal is transmitted to the calculation unit 40b, and the calculation unit 40b that receives the detection signal transmits the operation signal to the solenoid valve C2. Based on this operation signal, the solenoid valve C2 changes from "closed" to "open", and the exhaled gas of the patient is sucked (acquired) into the device (step T16). As mentioned above, this acquisition of exhaled gas is also not performed over the entire expiratory time of the patient.

In the present embodiment, the breathing detection unit 7 detects the inspiration and exhalation of the patient, and supplies high-concentration oxygen gas and sucks (acquires) the exhaled gas in synchronization with the breathing of the patient. By supplying high-concentration oxygen gas and sucking exhaled gas in synchronization with the patient's respiration, the supply and suction can be performed efficiently.

_{The concentration of CO 2} , oxygen, hydrogen, ammonia, nitric oxide, etc. of the patient's breath gas introduced into the breath gas detection unit 4 is measured by the above-mentioned sensor included in the breath gas detection unit 4. Then, based on the measured values, the patient's condition (ventilation insufficiency, etc.) can be grasped as described above. In the present embodiment, the flow rate of the high-concentration oxygen gas supplied to the patient can be changed according to the component information detected by the respiratory gas detection unit 4. As a result, oxygen can be supplied according to the patient's condition, and for example, the flow rate of high-concentration oxygen gas can be increased within the range prescribed by a doctor for a patient who is considered to be deficient in oxygen. ..

The following step T17 is a waiting time, and can be set in consideration of the filling time of the high-concentration oxygen gas into the tube, which will be described later. In this step T17, the ports "1" to the ports "2" of the solenoid valve C1 are in the "open" state, and the solenoid valve C2 is in the "closed" state.

In the subsequent step T18, the gas flow path or tube from the solenoid valve C1 to the patient's cannula is filled with high-concentration oxygen gas, and the patient's exhaled gas remaining in the gas flow path or tube is discharged. In this step T18, the ports "1" to the ports "2" of the solenoid valve C1 are in the "open" state, and the solenoid valve C2 is also in the "open" state. Further, the ports "2" to the ports "3" of the solenoid valve E located downstream of the exhaled gas detection unit 4 are in the "open" state. Therefore, the patient's exhaled gas remaining in the gas flow path or tube from the solenoid valve C1 to the patient's cannula C is pushed toward the patient's cannula C by the high-concentration oxygen gas supplied through the flow rate adjusting unit 22. Then, it is discharged to the outside from the cannula C.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the oxygen concentrator M2 according to another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present disclosure.
The oxygen concentrator M2 according to the second embodiment uses an air compressor 30 that only pressurizes instead of the pressurized / vacuum combined type air compressor 3, and the oxygen concentrator according to the first embodiment. It is different from M1. Then, the vacuum pump 31 is used as an intake unit for sucking the exhaled gas of the patient into the device. Therefore, among the configurations or elements of the oxygen concentrator M2, the configurations or elements common to the oxygen concentrator M1 are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the oxygen concentrator M1, and the description thereof will be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

In the oxygen concentrator M2, one solenoid valve C is used in place of the two solenoid valves C1 and C2 provided in the gas flow path on the upstream side of the exhaled gas detection unit 4 in the oxygen concentrator M1. The solenoid valve C is a 3-port valve having three ports. Further, in the oxygen concentrator M2, a check valve 27 provided in the gas flow path between the exhaled gas detection unit 4 and the solenoid valve C1 used in the oxygen concentrator M1 and a check valve 27 provided on the downstream side of the exhaled gas detection unit 4 The solenoid valve E, the filter 28, and the vacuum tank 8 provided are omitted. As a result, in the oxygen concentrator M2, the number of parts can be reduced while ensuring the necessary functions.

In the oxygen concentrator M1 using the pressurized / vacuum combined type air compressor 3, the first suction cylinder 1 is pressurized and depressurized, the second suction cylinder 2 is pressurized and depressurized, and the patient's exhaled gas is injected into the device. The vacuum tank 8 is evacuated by controlling the operation of the air compressor 3. On the other hand, in the oxygen concentrator M2, the pressurization and depressurization of the first adsorption cylinder 1 and the pressurization and depressurization of the second adsorption cylinder 2 are performed by controlling the operation of the air compressor 30, and the exhaled gas of the patient. The suction into the device is performed by controlling the operation of the vacuum pump 31.

[Acquisition of exhaled gas]
Next, the acquisition of the exhaled gas of the patient performed by using the oxygen concentrator M2 described above will be described.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the oxygen concentrator M2 shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the respiratory flow rate of the patient and the switching state of the solenoid valve of the oxygen concentrator M2 shown in FIG. Is.
In FIG. 7, for the sake of clarity, the representation of a part of the configuration or element shown in FIG. 6 is simplified or not shown.
In FIG. 8, the upper figure shows the open / closed state of the solenoid valve C and the solenoid valve D related to the supply of high-concentration oxygen gas to the patient and the acquisition of the patient's exhaled gas (suction into the apparatus) at each step. The lower figure shows an example of the patient's respiratory flow. In FIG. 7, the solenoid valve A and the solenoid valve B are not related to each operation of supplying high-concentration oxygen gas and acquiring exhaled gas based on the breathing detection of the patient, and are involved in the oxygen concentration process of the oxygen concentrator M2. Be manipulated.

First, step T21 is a state of waiting for the patient to inhale, the ports "1" to the ports "2" of the solenoid valve C which is a 3-port valve are in the "closed" state, and the solenoid valve which is a 2-port valve is also "closed". It is in the "closed" state.

When the breathing detection unit detects the patient's inspiration, the detection signal is transmitted to the calculation unit, and the calculation unit that receives the detection signal transmits the operation signal to the solenoid valve C. Based on this operation signal, the ports "1" to "2" of the solenoid valve C are changed from "closed" to "open", and high-concentration oxygen gas is supplied to the patient (step T22).

The supply of high-concentration oxygen gas to the patient is not performed over the entire time during which the patient is inhaling, as in the case of the first embodiment described above. Also in this embodiment, the high-concentration oxygen gas is supplied only for a part of the inspiratory time of the patient. Further, as will be described later, the exhaled gas is acquired only for a part of the exhaled time of the patient.

The following step T23 is a waiting time, and can be set in consideration of the discharge time of the high-concentration oxygen gas in the tube, which will be described later. In this step T23, the ports "2" to the ports "3" of the solenoid valve C are in the "open" state, and the solenoid valve D is in the "closed" state.

In the subsequent step T24, the high-concentration oxygen gas remaining in the gas flow path or tube from the solenoid valve C to the patient's cannula C is discharged. In this step T24, the ports "2" to the ports "3" of the solenoid valve C are in the "open" state, and the solenoid valve D is also in the "open" state. Therefore, the high-concentration oxygen gas remaining in the gas flow path or tube from the solenoid valve C to the patient's cannula C is sucked by the operation of the vacuum pump 31 and discharged to the outside.

Subsequent step T25 is a state of waiting for exhalation of the patient, ports "2" to "3" of the solenoid valve C1 which is a 3-port valve are in an "open" state, and in step T24, they are in an "open" state. The solenoid valve D is in the “closed” state.

When the breathing detection unit 7 detects the exhaled breath of the patient, the detection signal is transmitted to the calculation unit, and the calculation unit that receives the detection signal transmits the operation signal to the solenoid valve D. Based on this operation signal, the solenoid valve D changes from "closed" to "open", and the patient's exhaled gas is sucked (acquired) into the device by the operation of the vacuum pump 31 (step T26). As mentioned above, this acquisition of exhaled gas is also not performed over the entire expiratory time of the patient.

_{The breath gas of the patient introduced into the breath gas detection unit 4 is CO 2} , oxygen, hydrogen, ammonia, etc. by the above-mentioned sensor included in the breath gas detection unit 4 as in the oxygen concentrator M1 according to the first embodiment. Concentration is measured.

The following step T27 is a waiting time, and can be set in consideration of the filling time of the high-concentration oxygen gas into the tube, which will be described later. In this step T27, the ports "2" to the ports "3" of the solenoid valve C are in the "open" state, and the solenoid valve D is in the "closed" state.

In the subsequent step T28, the gas flow path or tube from the solenoid valve C to the patient's cannula C is filled with high-concentration oxygen gas, and the patient's exhaled gas remaining in the gas flow path or tube is discharged. In this step T28, the ports "1" to "2" of the solenoid valve C are in the "open" state, and the solenoid valve D is in the "closed" state. Therefore, the patient's exhaled gas remaining in the gas flow path or tube from the solenoid valve C to the patient's cannula C is pushed toward the patient's cannula by the high-concentration oxygen gas supplied through the flow rate adjusting unit 22. Then, it is discharged to the outside from the cannula C.

[Other variants]
The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pressure sensor that detects both the exhalation and the inspiration of the patient is used as the breathing detection unit, but the pressure sensor that detects only the exhalation or the inspiration of the patient can also be used. In this case, for example, the inspiratory time and expiratory time in one breath of the patient are calculated based on the past average respiratory time and data or experiential value of the patient, and for example, 60% of the calculated inspiratory time. High-concentration oxygen gas can be supplied for a period of time. In addition, the exhaled gas of the patient can be acquired (sucked) only for a part of the calculated expiratory time. The respiration detector can be configured simply by using a pressure sensor that detects only the patient's exhalation or inspiration, but the patient is more accurately supplied with high-concentration oxygen gas and exhaled in synchronization with the patient's respiration. From the point of view of gas acquisition, it is desirable to use a pressure sensor that detects both the patient's exhalation and inspiration.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the patient is supplied with high-concentration oxygen gas via the cannula and the exhaled gas of the patient is acquired. Instead of this cannula, for example, a mask worn on the patient is used. It is also possible to supply high-concentration oxygen gas and acquire exhaled gas through the gas.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, there is only one gas flow path from the oxygen concentrator to the patient, and the flow path for supplying the high-concentration oxygen gas to the patient and the flow path for acquiring the exhaled gas of the patient are common. However, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, a flow path for supplying the high-concentration oxygen gas to the patient and a flow path for acquiring the exhaled gas of the patient can be provided independently. FIG. 9 is a modification of the oxygen concentrator shown in FIG. 6, in which the oxygen outlet 41 and the exhaled gas acquisition port 43 are separately provided. A tube connected to the oxygen outlet and a tube connected to the exhaled gas acquisition port are inserted into the patient's nostrils. In this case, since the supply flow path of the high-concentration oxygen gas and the acquisition flow path of the exhaled gas gas are separate flow paths, the high-concentration oxygen gas in the flow path and the flow path in the above-described embodiment are discharged. The operation of filling with high-concentration oxygen gas (exhaust of exhaled gas in the tube) becomes unnecessary.

As described above, in the case of a modification in which the oxygen outlet 41 and the exhaled gas acquisition port 43 are separately provided, the high-concentration oxygen gas supply port 26 provided at the oxygen outlet 41 of the casing 9 of the oxygen concentrator and the exhaled breath of the casing 9. It is desirable that the exhaled gas acquisition ports 44 provided in the gas acquisition port 43 have different shapes from each other. This makes it possible to prevent the tube from being connected to the wrong place. Further, instead of the shape, it is possible to suppress the connection to the wrong place by changing the colors of each other.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the oxygen concentrator is an oxygen concentrator that supplies pressurized air pressurized by a compressor to an adsorption cylinder, and then depressurizes the inside of the adsorption cylinder in a pressurized state to exhaust nitrogen-rich gas. The disclosure is not limited to this, and the present disclosure can be applied to a VSA type oxygen concentrator that supplies air to an adsorption cylinder and repeats only atmospheric pressure and depressurization, and a membrane type oxygen concentrator. ..

1: 1st suction cylinder 2: 2nd suction cylinder 3: Air compressor 4: Exhaled gas detector 5: Oxygen tank 6: Humidifier 7: Breath detector 8: Vacuum tank 9: Casing 10: Compressor box 11: Control valve 12a: Cooling fan 12b: Cooling fan 13: Intake muffling box 14: Exhaust muffler 15: Dustproof filter 16: Intake filter 17: Opening 18: Purge valve 19: Check valve 20: Check valve 21: Pressure reducing valve 22: Flow rate adjustment Unit 23: Pressure sensor 24: Oxygen sensor 25: Bacterial filter 26: High-concentration oxygen gas supply port 27: Check valve 28: Filter 30: Air compressor 31: Vacuum pump 40: Control unit 40a: Storage unit 40b: Calculation unit 41 : Oxygen outlet 42: Alarm 43: Exhaled gas acquisition port 44: Exhaled gas acquisition port C: Cannula M1: Oxygen concentrator M2: Oxygen concentrator

Claims

An oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) that supplies air to an adsorbent that selectively adsorbs nitrogen and supplies the generated high-concentration oxygen gas to the user.
An intake unit (3) that sucks the user's exhaled gas into the device,
An oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) including an exhaled gas detection unit (4) that detects component information of the sucked user's exhaled gas.
The oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) according to claim 1, which supplies high-concentration oxygen gas at the time of inspiration and sucks the exhaled gas at the time of exhalation in synchronization with the user's respiration.
The oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air compressor (3) that generates the air also serves as the intake unit.
The oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a filter (28) is provided in the path of the exhaled gas on the upstream side of the intake unit (3).
The oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a check valve (27) is provided in the path of the exhaled gas on the upstream side of the exhaled gas detection unit (4). ..
The oxygen concentrator (M1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a vacuum tank (8) is provided in the path between the intake unit (3) and the exhaled gas detection unit (4). M2).
The oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the exhaled gas detection unit (4) is a CO 2 sensor that measures the CO 2 concentration of the user's exhaled gas.
The oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the breath gas detection unit (4) is an oxygen sensor that measures the oxygen concentration of the user's breath gas.
The oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the breath gas detection unit (4) is a hydrogen sensor that measures the hydrogen concentration of the user's breath gas.
The oxygen concentrator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the flow rate of the high-concentration oxygen gas supplied to the user is changed according to the component information detected by the exhaled gas detection unit (4). M2).
The oxygen concentrator (M1, M2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an alarm unit that issues an alarm according to component information detected by the exhaled gas detection unit (4).
The oxygen concentrator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which has a communication function capable of providing information to a doctor or the like via a communication device for component information detected by the exhaled gas detection unit (4). (M1, M2).
The oxygen concentrator (M1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a path for supplying high-concentration oxygen gas to the user and a path for sucking the breath gas of the user are provided independently. , M2).
The oxygen concentrator (M2) according to claim 13, wherein the high-concentration oxygen gas supply port and the exhaled gas acquisition port provided in the casing (9) of the oxygen concentrator (M2) have different shapes.