US3724454A - Humidifier - nebulizer - Google Patents

Abstract

A container defining a chamber partially filled with a liquid such as water is provided with a pair of pressurized oxygen flow inlet ports and an outlet port from which humidified or nebulized oxygen flow is discharged for breathing. A humidifying device connected to one of the inlet ports includes a diffuser immersed in the water and provided with relatively small slots through which pressurized oxygen is forced to form minute bubbles that rise through the water to provide humidified oxygen flow which passes out of the outlet port. A nebulizing device connected to the second inlet port includes a tube having one end extending into the water and an opposite end exposed to a low pressure region generated by high velocity oxygen flow through an orifice. Water thereby aspirated through the tube is broken up and entrained by the oxygen flow and the resulting mixture discharged into an enlarged volume chamber and directed against a fixed pin or baffle in the chamber to further break up the entrained water particles. An adjustable inlet port communicates the chamber with room or ambient air to provide preselected dilution of the nebulized oxygen flow with room air which room air is aspirated into the chamber by sub-atmospheric pressure generated therein. The diluted nebulized oxygen flow subsequently passes out of the outlet port. The humidifying and nebulizing devices are independently operatively depending upon which one of the pair of inlet ports is connected to a suitable pressurized oxygen source.

Description

Brown [451 Apr. 3, 1973 [54] HUMIDIFIER NEBULIZER [75] Inventor: Joseph W. Brown, Chicago, Ill.

[73] Assignee: The Bendix Corporation, South Bend, Ind.

[22] Filed: Feb. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 112,523

[52] U.S. Cl ..128/194, 55/255 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lm 11/00 [58] Field of Search ..128/l84,185,186,187, 188, 128/194; 55/255, 256; 261/78 A, 121, 122,

124, DIG. 65

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,580,249 5/1971 Takaoka ..128/194 2,541,129 2/1951 Taber et al. ..261/78 A 3,572,660 3/1971 Mahon ..128/194 2,285,689 6/1942 Tullis ..261/78 A 2,709,577 5/1955 Pohndort ..128/185 2,882,026 4/1959 Eichelman ..128/194 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 548,068 9/1956 Italy ..128/194 788,612 7119135 France ..128/187 88,403 1/1960 Denmark ..128/194 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-G. F. Dunne Attorney-Gordon H. Chenez, Plante, Hartz, Smith & Thompson [57] ABSTRACT A container defining a chamber partially filled with a liquid such as water is provided with a pair of pressurized oxygen flow inlet ports and an outlet port from which humidified or nebulized oxygen flow is discharged for breathing. A humidifying device connected to one of the inlet ports includes a diffuser immersed in the water and provided with relatively small slots through which pressurized oxygen is forced to form minute bubbles that rise through the water to provide humidified oxygen flow which passes out of the outlet port. A nebulizing device connected to the second inlet port includes a tube having one end extending into the water and an opposite end exposed to a low pressure region generated by high velocity oxygen flow through an orifice. Water thereby aspirated through the tube is broken up and entrained by the oxygen flow and the resulting mixture discharged into an enlarged volume chamber and directed against a fixed pin or baffle in the chamber to further break up the entrained water particles. An adjustable inlet port communicates the chamber with room or ambient air to provide preselected dilution of the nebulized oxygen flow with room air which room air is aspirated into the chamber by sub-atmospheric pressure generated therein. The diluted nebulized oxygen flow subsequently passes out of the outlet port. The humidifying and nebulizing devices are independently operatively depending upon which one of the pair of inlet ports is connected to a suitable pressurized oxygen source.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures i I I I I I I II I I i I I i I 26 Z2 FULL 46 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH W. BROWN AGENT HUMIDIFIER NEBULIZER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior art humidifiers including nebulizers for humidifying dry oxygen gas used in hospital or home treatment of a person having respiratory or related complications have taken numerous forms. However, the prior art humidifiers of which I am aware of not entirely satisfactory due to one or more disadvantages including relatively high cost, complex operation, significant bulk and weight either of which tend to discourage portable use, and difficulty in cleaning and sterilization of parts subject to contamination. Other disadvantages may include the need for an electric power source for operation which introduces undesirable shock hazard to a therapist or patient as well as inability of the device to function independently as a simple humidifier or nebulizer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and relatively inexpensive humidifier and nebulizer device for administering humidified or nebulized oxygen gas to a patient.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple and reliable humidifier including nebulizer means formed from a relatively inexpensive material thereby making disposal after use practical and economical.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier including nebulizer for dry oxygen gas which is compact and relatively lightweight and does not require an electrical power source thereby rendering the same practical for portable use.

Still another object of the present invention s to provide a combination humidifier and nebulizer for treatment of oxygen gas wherein the humidifier and nebulizer portions thereof operate independently and may be selectively put into operation quickly and simply.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a disposable, simple and reliable nebulizer including ambient air dilution means for treatment of a gas.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken online 2--2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an adjustable portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 2 in particular, numeral designates a liquid container or casing provided with an opening defined by anannular rim 22. Preferably, the

container 20 is formed from a relatively inexpensive material such as plastic which is suitably transparent to provide a visual indication of the level of a liquid such as water contained bycontainer 20 which may be sized to hold 500 cubic centimeters of water as indicated by an upper level marking 24 impressed oncontainer 20, thereby providing for relatively long term therapy. A lower level marking 26 oncontainer 20 provides a visual indication of a need for refill thereof. Therim 22 is provided with a helical rib orthread 28.

Acover 34 is provided with a dependingannular wall 36 having a helical rib orthread 38 formed thereon which threadedly engagesrib 28 to securecover 34 in position oncasing 20. Thecover 34, likecontainer 20, may be formed of a plastic material. Spaced-apart openings 40 and 42 incover 34 are adapted to receive an oxygen inlet fitting 44 and an oxygen outlet fitting 46, respectively. A third opening incover 34 is defined by anintegral sleeve 48 having a converging wall, a minor portion 50 of which extends outward fromcover 34. A nebulizing unit generally indicated by 52 is secured tosleeve 48 and includes anoxygen inlet fitting 54.

Theoxygen inlet fitting 44 includes atubular section 56 having axially spaced-apart ribs defining a recess 58 adapted to snap fit withcover 34 thereby securingtubular section 56 in position in opening 40. A threadedcoupling 60 slidably carried ontubular section 56 and retained thereon by anannular stop 62 is adapted to threadedly engage a mating coupling, not shown, connected to a hose communicating with a conventional pressurized source of oxygen, not shown. Atubular member 64 having a suitable interference fit with a reduced diameter end oftubular section 56 extends therefrom intocontainer 20 to a position below the refill level of water. A cup-shaped member 66 is provided with a stem 68 having acentral passage 70 and a suitable interference fit withtubular member 64 to thereby securemember 66 to the same. The inner wall of the axially extending portion ofmember 66 is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart projections 72. Acap 74 having a radially extendingshoulder 76 and an axially extendingwall 78 is slidably received bycupshaped member 66. The shoulder is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart ribs orprojections 79 which abutmember 66 to establish a plurality of restricted passages through which oxygen gas may escape from the interior ofmember 66 to the water surrounding the same (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Anannular recess 80 inwall 78 is adapted to snap fit withprojections 72 to securecap 74 in position.

The oxygen outlet fitting 46 is tubular and provided with a conventional male coupling end adapted to connect to the mating end of an oxygen supply hose, not shown, leading to an oxygen mask or tent. The opposite end offitting 46 is provided with anannular recess 82 adapted to snap fit withcover 34 to secure fitting 46 in position thereon.

The oxygen inlet fitting 54 of nebulizingunit 52 is a tubular member having a reduced diameter end portion 84 provided with a restricted outlet flow passage ornozzle 86. A threadedcoupling 88 slidably carried on fitting 54 and retained thereon by anannular stop 90 is adapted to threadedly engage the mating coupling, not shown, connected to the hose supplying pressurized oxygen. Thefitting 54 is retained in the cavity of acupshaped member 94. Anannular rib 96 onfitting 54 is adapted to snap fit intomating recess 98 formed inmember 94 to thereby establish a fixed spaced relationship orannular chamber 100 between adjacent parallel surfaces of fitting 54 andmember 94. Thenozzle 86 extends into a relativelylarger diameter recess 102 in the base portion of cup-shaped member 94 which base portion is further provided with apassage 104 coaxial withnozzle 86 and through which jet flow fromnozzle 86 is directed intosleeve 48. The relative diameters ofnozzle 86 and recess 102 as well as the axial spacing betweennozzle 86 and the base orrecess 102 establish a predetermined clearance providing fluid communication betweenannular chamber 100 andpassage 104. An integraltubular extension 106 in the base portion of cup-shaped member 94 is offset relative topassage 104 and extends intosleeve 48. An integral pin orbaffle 108 extends radially outwardly fromtubular extension 106 and perpendicular to the axis ofpassage 104 in spaced-apart relationship to the outlet end ofpassage 104 to thereby intercept jet flow out ofpassage 104.

A tubular member 1 having a suitable interference fit withtubular extension 106 extends therefrom into container to a position below the refill level of water.

A cuppedmember 112 is provided with an opening 114 therein through whichmember 94 extends. Thewall defining opening 114 is adapted to snap fit into anannular recess 116 inmember 94 to thereby securemembers 94 and 112 together. The cuppedmember 112 is provided with an annular recess 1 18 which mates with anannular rib 120 integral withsleeve 48 to provide a snap fit thereby securing cuppedmember 102 in position oncover 34. An opening orport 122 in cuppedmember 112 is controlled by an adjustable cuppedmember 124 having an opening 126 in the base thereof to pennitmember 124 to overlapmember 112. An annular recess 128 incupped member 124 mates with anannular rib 129 integral withcupped member 112 to provide a snap fit coupling rotatably securingcupped member 124 tocupped member 112. An opening orport 130 incupped member 124 is adapted to mate with opening orport 122 inmember 112 to establish a corresponding variable flow area depending upon the position to whichcupped member 124 is rotated relative tocupped member 112. Themember 124 may be provided with suitable markings which cooperate with a reference mark oncupped member 112 as shown in FIG. 4.

Preferably, the above-described structure is made from any of the well known plastic materials which are characteristically inexpensive, lightweight, strong and easily formed to shape to thereby provide a relatively inexpensive and disposable humidifying and nebulizing device.

It will be assumed that the above-described device is to be used for simple humidification of dry oxygen gas supplied by a suitable tank of pressurized oxygen gas, not shown, in which case the supply hose therefrom is connected tooxygen inlet coupling 60. Thecontainer 20 is filled with water to the indicatedupper mark 24. Thenebulizing unit 52 is sealed by means ofa plug, not shown, adapted to snap fit into fitting 54 thereof andmember 124 ofunit 52 is rotated to its OFF position thereby blockingport 122. Pressurized oxygen gas flows through inlet fitting 44 andtubular member 64 to cup-shapedmember 66 which, in combination withcap 74 secured thereto, functions as a diffuser. To that end, oxygen gas passes through the narrow passages defined byribs 79 and emerges therefrom in the form of small bubbles which rise through the water thereby accumulating additional water vapor. The humidified oxygen gas passes out of fitting 46 to the mask or tent supplying oxygen to the patient. It will be noted that the volume of water incontainer 20 is sufficient to provide relatively long term humidification of the oxygen gas. The level of water incontainer 20 may be readily observed with respect to the refill marks 26 to signify a need for refillingcontainer 20.

Thenebulizing unit 52 may be put into operation by attaching the pressurized oxygen supply hose toinlet coupling 88 in which case theinlet coupling 60 is sealed by a suitable plug, not shown, similar to that used to sealunit 52. The pressurized oxygen gas passes through flow passage ornozzle 86 creating a relatively high velocity jet flow which is discharged throughpassage 104 and produces a low pressure in the volume established by the clearance betweennozzle 86 andaccess 102 as well as thechamber 100. The resulting pressure differential between the chamber and end of tubular member immersed in water aspirates water throughtubular member 110 intochamber 100 and the clearance volume surrounding the jet flow fromnozzle 86. Water entrained by the jet fiow is carried throughpassage 104 with the resulting water and oxygen gas mixture impinging thepin 108 causing the water particles entrained in the oxygen to break up into smaller particles, producing a nebulized mixture which is conducted throughsleeve 48 to the volume above the water level from which the mixture exits via outlet fitting 46 to the mask or tent supplying the patient. If desired, the oxygen gas may be diluted with ambient or room air by rotating thecupped member 124 to one of the numbered positions relative to the reference mark onmember 112 thereby establishing a corresponding effective flow area ofport 122 and thus predetermined air flow therethrough. The relatively high velocity flow of oxygen and entrained water particles passing throughsleeve 48 creates a relatively lower pressure in the annular volume betweencupped member 112 and cup-shapedmember 94 supported thereby and thus a pressure differential acrossopen port 122 through which room air is drawn intosleeve 48. The room air mixes with the oxygen gas-water particle mixture thereby diluting the oxygen gas accordingly.

It will be recognized by those persons skilled in the art that the above-described humidifier-nebulizer may be operated with a pressurized gas other than oxygen and a liquid medicant may be substituted for water. Furthermore, theinlet fittings 44 and 54 may be connected to separate sources of pressurized oxygenand pressurized air in which case thecupped member 124 may be rotated to closeport 122 thereby establishing separate flows of oxygen and air intocasing 20 and a resulting diluted flow of oxygen out ofoutlet 46.

I claim:

1. A humidifier-nebulizer apparatus for conditioning a breathable fluid supplied to a recipient, said apparatus comprising:

a container having a chamber therein for retaining a liquid, said chamber having a first inlet port, a second inlet port and an outlet port in communication with said recipient, said first inlet port adaptable to be connected to a source of oxygen under pressure, said second inlet port adaptable to be connected to said source of oxygen;

first conduit means retained in said first inlet port having a cup shaped end thereon which extends into said liquid, said cup shaped end having a plurality of inwardly spaced apart projections;

a cap on the end of the first conduit means having an annular wall with a radially extending shoulder, said axially extending annular wall having an annular recess therein, said shoulder having a plurality of ribs thereon, said plurality of ribs abutting said cup shaped end upon said spaced apart projections being positioned in said annular recess to form a corresponding plurality of restricted passages through which said source of oxygen can pass under pressure, said oxygen under pressure upon passing through said restricted passages into said liquid forming minute oxygen bubbles that rise through said liquid into said chamber, saidoxygen bubbles absorbing said liquid upon passing therethrough and into the chamber as humidified oxygen;

first sleeve means located in said second inlet port and extending into said chamber;

cover means connected to said first sleeve means having a cupped surface, said cupped surface hav ing an axial opening in the end and a radial opening in the side thereof;

second sleeve means surrounding said cover means having a radial opening therein, said second sleeve means being adapted to rotate on said cover means to selectively vary the communication of air at atmospheric pressure into said first sleeve means with substantially the same precision repeatedly, said second sleeve means being rotated to prevent the c communication of said air into said cover means upon oxygen being communicated through said first conduit;

cylinder means located in said axial opening in said cover means having a closed end, and an open end with an annular shoulder on the other end, said annular shoulder contacting said cover means to position the cylinder within said first sleeve means, said closed end having an axial opening therein;

tubular means extending from the closed end of said cylinder means into said liquid, said tubular means having a radial baffle located below said closed end and extending beyond said axial opening in the cylinder means, said tubular means having an annular recess on the internal surface a predetermined distance from said closed end; and

second conduit means having a nozzle on the end thereof through which said oxygen under pressure is adapted to pass, said conduit means having an annular rib thereon a predetermined distance from said nozzle, said annular rib being retained in said annular recess to form an annular chamber with said closed end, said second sleeve means being rotated to selectively allow the communication of air through a predetermined size of opening into said cover means upon oxygen under pressure being communicated through said second conduit means, said oxygen communication to the second conduit means passing through said nozzle and axial opening causing a pressure drop in said annular chamber to aspirate said liquid into said annular chamber, said liquid in the annular chamber being entrained by said oxygen before passing through said axial opening, said liquid entrained in said oxygen impinging upon said baffle causing the liquid to nebulize, said oxygen and nebulized liquid being directed into said chamber by said first sleeve means for distribution to the recipient through said outlet.

Claims (1)

1. A humidifier-nebulizer apparatus for conditioning a breathable fluid supplied to a recipient, said apparatus comprising: a container having a chamber therein for retaining a liquid, said chamber having a first inlet port, a second inlet port and an outlet port in communication with said recipient, said first inlet port adaptable to be connected to a source of oxygen under pressure, said second inlet port adaptable to be connected to said source of oxygen; first conduit means retained in said first inlet port having a cup shaped end thereon which extends into said liquid, said cup shaped end having a plurality of inwardly spaced apart projections; a cap on the end of the first conduit means having an annular wall with a radially extending shoulder, said axially extending annular wall having an annular recess therein, said shoulder having a plurality of ribs thereon, said plurality of ribs abutting said cup shaped end upon said spaced apart projections being positioned in said annular recess to form a corresponding plurality of restricted passages through which said source of oxygen can pass under pressuRe, said oxygen under pressure upon passing through said restricted passages into said liquid forming minute oxygen bubbles that rise through said liquid into said chamber, said oxygen bubbles absorbing said liquid upon passing therethrough and into the chamber as humidified oxygen; first sleeve means located in said second inlet port and extending into said chamber; cover means connected to said first sleeve means having a cupped surface, said cupped surface having an axial opening in the end and a radial opening in the side thereof; second sleeve means surrounding said cover means having a radial opening therein, said second sleeve means being adapted to rotate on said cover means to selectively vary the communication of air at atmospheric pressure into said first sleeve means with substantially the same precision repeatedly, said second sleeve means being rotated to prevent the c communication of said air into said cover means upon oxygen being communicated through said first conduit; cylinder means located in said axial opening in said cover means having a closed end, and an open end with an annular shoulder on the other end, said annular shoulder contacting said cover means to position the cylinder within said first sleeve means, said closed end having an axial opening therein; tubular means extending from the closed end of said cylinder means into said liquid, said tubular means having a radial baffle located below said closed end and extending beyond said axial opening in the cylinder means, said tubular means having an annular recess on the internal surface a predetermined distance from said closed end; and second conduit means having a nozzle on the end thereof through which said oxygen under pressure is adapted to pass, said conduit means having an annular rib thereon a predetermined distance from said nozzle, said annular rib being retained in said annular recess to form an annular chamber with said closed end, said second sleeve means being rotated to selectively allow the communication of air through a predetermined size of opening into said cover means upon oxygen under pressure being communicated through said second conduit means, said oxygen communication to the second conduit means passing through said nozzle and axial opening causing a pressure drop in said annular chamber to aspirate said liquid into said annular chamber, said liquid in the annular chamber being entrained by said oxygen before passing through said axial opening, said liquid entrained in said oxygen impinging upon said baffle causing the liquid to nebulize, said oxygen and nebulized liquid being directed into said chamber by said first sleeve means for distribution to the recipient through said outlet.

Images