Tracheotomy humidifier

Abstract

The utility model relates to a tracheotomy humidifier, and belongs to the technical field of medical instruments. Comprising a humidifying tank used for containing humidifying liquid and a heating assembly used for heating the humidifying liquid. A gas input pipe communicated with an external gas source is arranged in the humidifying tank, and the tail end of the gas input pipe extends to the bottom of the humidifying tank and is immersed in the humidifying liquid; at least one gas outlet is formed in the side wall of the tail end of the gas input pipe; the umbrella-shaped flow guide cover is arranged right above the air outlet; and the grid is arranged above the umbrella-shaped flow guide cover. The umbrella-shaped flow guide cover and the grid are arranged in an up-and-down laminated mode and work cooperatively, so that the total contact area and the total contact time of gas and humidifying liquid are maximized, the gas humidifying quality and efficiency are greatly improved, and it is ensured that continuous, stable and highly-saturated wet gas can be provided for a patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of medical equipment, and in particular relates to a tracheotomy humidifier. Background Art

[0002] For patients undergoing tracheotomy or endotracheal intubation for laryngeal dyspnea, respiratory dysfunction, or lower respiratory tract secretion retention, the natural physiological functions of the upper respiratory tract (including the nasal cavity and throat) to warm, humidify, and filter the inhaled air are completely or partially bypassed. Direct inhalation of dry medical gases (such as oxygen) that have not been effectively humidified can dry out the airway mucosa, impair ciliary function, and cause sticky secretions (sputum) that are difficult to cough up. In severe cases, sputum crusts can form, blocking the airway and increasing the risk of lung infection, adversely affecting the patient's health and recovery.

[0003] Existing active humidifiers typically use two mainstream principles to humidify gas: surface evaporation and bubbling. The surface evaporation method usually causes the gas to flow over a heated horizontal surface. When the gas flow rate is high, the contact time between the gas and the water surface is short, and the humidification efficiency is limited. While the bubbling method can increase the contact area, the traditional bubbling structure (for example, simply opening a number of outlet holes at the bottom of the gas inlet pipe) has inherent technical defects. Specifically, the bubbles produced by this type of structure are often large and uneven in size. Large bubbles rise quickly in water and have a small specific surface area. This results in a short heat and humidity exchange time between the gas and the humidifying liquid, a limited exchange area, and insufficient gas-liquid exchange, resulting in low humidification quality and saturation efficiency of the final output mixed gas. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the utility model provides a tracheotomy humidifier.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is:

[0006] Provided is a tracheotomy humidifier, comprising a humidification tank for containing humidification liquid, and a heating component for heating the humidification liquid;

[0007] A gas input pipe connected to an external gas source is provided in the humidification tank, and the end of the gas input pipe extends to the bottom of the humidification tank and is immersed in the humidification liquid;

[0008] At least one gas outlet is provided on the side wall of the end of the gas inlet pipe for releasing the dry gas in the form of bubbles;

[0009] The humidification tank also includes a bubble processing component for dispersing and refining bubbles, and the bubble processing component includes:

[0010] an umbrella-shaped guide cover provided directly above the air outlet;

[0011] and a grille arranged above the umbrella-shaped deflector cover.

[0012] Preferably, the umbrella-shaped guide cover is a solid structure, and its lower surface is a concave arc surface facing the air outlet, which is used to guide the bubbles released from the air outlet to diffuse radially toward its edge.

[0013] Preferably, a plurality of guide ribs arranged along the radial direction are integrally formed on the concave arc surface of the umbrella-shaped guide cover.

[0014] Preferably, the outer peripheral edge of the umbrella-shaped guide cover is configured as a wavy cutting edge for pre-cutting bubbles.

[0015] Preferably, the solid portion constituting the grid has a wedge-shaped lower edge facing the bottom of the humidifying tank.

[0016] Preferably, the grid comprises at least two layers stacked one above the other, and the meshes of two adjacent layers are staggered with each other.

[0017] Preferably, the umbrella-shaped flow guide cover and the grille are coaxially sleeved and fixed on the outer peripheral wall of the gas inlet pipe, and together with the gas inlet pipe form a detachable independent component.

[0018] Preferably, the portion of the gas input pipe immersed in the humidifying liquid is constructed into a spiral coil structure.

[0019] Preferably, the top of the humidification tank is provided with a detachably connected nozzle cover, and the nozzle cover is provided with:

[0020] - an air outlet port connected to the patient's breathing circuit;

[0021] and a liquid inlet for replenishing the humidifying liquid.

[0022] Preferably, the top end of the gas inlet pipe is connected to the pipe opening cover so as to be installed or removed as a whole.

[0023] The utility model provides a tracheotomy humidifier, and the beneficial effects of the utility model are embodied in:

[0024] The umbrella-shaped guide cover and the grid are stacked up and down and work together to maximize the total contact area and total contact time between the gas and the humidification liquid, greatly improving the quality and efficiency of gas humidification and ensuring that continuous, stable, and highly saturated humidified gas can be provided to patients. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a front view of the tracheotomy humidifier proposed in the utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the tracheotomy humidifier proposed in the utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the umbrella-shaped flow guide cover in the tracheotomy humidifier proposed in the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gas input tube in the tracheotomy humidifier proposed in the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of the grille in the tracheotomy humidifier proposed in the utility model.

[0030] Description of reference numerals:

[0031] 1. Humidification tank; 2. Heating component; 3. Gas input pipe; 301. Gas outlet; 4. Bubble treatment component; 401. Umbrella-shaped flow guide cover; 4011. Flow guide rib; 402. Grille; 5. Pipe mouth cover; 501. Gas outlet interface; 502. Liquid inlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] See also Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, the specific embodiments provided by the present invention are as follows:

[0034] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this embodiment provides a tracheotomy humidifier, which aims to solve the problems of low humidification efficiency and mixing quality caused by large bubble size and short gas-liquid contact time in the prior art bubble humidifier.

[0035] The device comprises a humidifying tank 1 and a heating component 2.

[0036] The humidifier tank 1 is used to contain sterile humidification liquid and is preferably made of a transparent or translucent medical-grade polymer material to facilitate external observation of the internal liquid level and operating status. The heating component 2, such as a heating plate disposed at the bottom of the humidifier tank 1, is used to continuously and stably heat the liquid in the humidifier tank 1, providing sufficient heat energy for subsequent gas humidification, making the output gas warmer and more comfortable.

[0037] A gas input pipe 3 is provided in the humidification tank 1. The gas input pipe 3 is connected to an external gas source (such as a central oxygen supply, an oxygen cylinder or a ventilator), and its structural form is usually a pipe extending vertically downward from near the central axis, and its end is immersed in the humidification liquid. In order to achieve the bubbling function, one or more gas outlets 301 are provided on the side wall of the end of the gas input pipe 3. When the dry gas enters from the external gas source and reaches the end of the pipeline, it will be forcibly released from these gas outlets 301 on the side wall in the form of bubbles and enter the warm humidification liquid. This lateral opening helps to generate a bubble flow that sprays in all directions, laying the foundation for subsequent bubble processing.

[0038] On the basis of the above, a set of bubble processing components 4 for dispersing and refining bubbles is provided in the humidification tank 1 .

[0039] The bubble processing component 4 specifically includes:

[0040] First, there is the umbrella-shaped guide cover 401 located in the lower layer. The umbrella-shaped guide cover 401 is fixedly arranged directly above the gas outlet 301 of the gas input pipe 3. Its function is to serve as a primary guide and dispersion structure. When the bubble is released from the gas outlet 301, its vertical upward kinetic energy will cause it to first hit the lower surface of the umbrella-shaped guide cover 401. Due to the obstruction of the umbrella-shaped guide cover 401, the bubble flow cannot rush directly and quickly to the top of the water surface, but is forced to change the direction of movement and instead diffuse radially towards the edges of the guide cover. In this way, a concentrated, vertical bubble flow is transformed into a uniformly outward-diffusing, planar bubble group, achieving the first homogenization treatment of the bubble flow.

[0041] Next is the upper grid 402. This grid 402 is positioned horizontally above the umbrella-shaped deflector cover 401. It serves as a secondary fragmentation and refinement structure. When the bubble cluster, evenly dispersed by the umbrella-shaped deflector cover 401, continues to rise and contacts the grid 402, the larger bubbles are physically cut, blocked, and fragmented by the grid structure of the grid 402, resulting in a large number of smaller, more uniform microbubbles.

[0042] The umbrella-shaped guide cover 401 and the grille 402 are stacked up and down and work together to maximize the total contact area and total contact time between the gas and the humidification liquid, greatly improving the quality and efficiency of gas humidification and ensuring that continuous, stable, and highly saturated humidified gas can be provided to patients.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the umbrella-shaped flow guide cover 401 is a solid structure without through holes. It is intended to serve as a complete physical barrier, ensuring that the bubble flow released from the air outlet 301 below cannot directly pass through its central area, but is forced to change its path, thereby achieving the purpose of diversion.

[0044] In order to more effectively realize the diversion function, the lower surface of the umbrella-shaped diversion cover 401, ie, the side facing the gas outlet 301 of the gas inlet pipe 3, is constructed as a smooth and continuous concave arc surface.

[0045] When bubbles are released from outlet 301 on the sidewall of gas inlet pipe 3 and move vertically upward due to buoyancy, they first impact the central vertex of this concave arc. Due to the specific curvature of this arc, the kinetic energy of the bubble flow is smoothly decomposed and guided, allowing it to naturally follow the low-resistance path formed by the arc, evenly diffusing radially from the center to the surrounding edges.

[0046] Compared to a simple planar blocking structure, the concave curved surface structure in this embodiment is more effective at trapping the initial bubble flow. It avoids the chaotic turbulence caused by bubbles directly impacting a flat surface, instead distributing the bubbles evenly across its entire periphery in a more gentle manner. This not only effectively disperses the bubble flow but also provides a larger, ideal bubble field for the upper grid 402 to perform further fragmentation and refinement, thereby improving the collaborative efficiency of the entire bubble treatment assembly 4.

[0047] As a further improvement to the previous embodiment, in this embodiment, a plurality of guide ribs 4011 are integrally formed on the concave curved surface of the umbrella-shaped guide cover 401. These guide ribs 4011 are radially arranged along the radial direction of the concave curved surface, starting from the central vertex (or near the center) of the concave curved surface, and extending all the way to the outer peripheral edge of the guide cover.

[0048] When the bubble stream released from the gas outlet 301 hits the center of the concave surface, it no longer diffuses randomly due to the curvature, but is captured by the radial guide ribs 4011. The bubble stream is naturally divided into multiple streams and forced to flow toward the outer edge in an orderly manner along the specific radial channels defined by two adjacent guide ribs 4011.

[0049] Based on this, it eliminates the tangential flow or local vortex that bubbles may generate under the concave surface, ensuring that each subdivided bubble flow can reach the edge in the most direct radial path. This makes the final dispersed bubble group achieve higher consistency in both spatial distribution and flow uniformity.

[0050] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral edge of the umbrella-shaped guide cover 401 is integrally formed into a continuously undulating wavy cutting edge. The wavy cutting edge is composed of a series of alternating peaks and troughs, forming an irregular edge profile for dividing the airflow.

[0051] When the air bubbles, guided to the edge by the concave arc surface of the guide cover (or guide rib 4011), are about to overflow upward, a conventional smooth edge would release a continuous, single, annular bubble curtain. However, in this embodiment, due to the presence of the wavy edge, the air bubbles preferentially overflow from the wave troughs, where there is less resistance.

[0052] In this way, a complete bubble curtain is physically divided into multiple independent bubble streams the moment it leaves the umbrella-shaped guide cover 401. Each trough is equivalent to a subdivided airflow outlet, while the peaks play a role in blocking and diverting the airflow.

[0053] Thus, the formation of a large bubble curtain is avoided before the bubbles reach the upper grid 402. This not only facilitates the initial refinement of the bubbles, but also makes the bubbles that subsequently reach the grid 402 more dispersed and more easily broken down into microbubbles by the grid 402, thereby improving the system efficiency and processing capacity of the entire bubble treatment assembly 4.

[0054] In this embodiment, each solid part (e.g., the bars or meshes forming the grid) of the grid 402 is configured to have a wedge-shaped cross-section toward the lower edge of the bottom of the humidification tank 1. This wedge-shaped structure naturally forms a sharp edge at the tip of the lower edge.

[0055] When bubbles rising from below contact grid 402, they no longer collide with a flat, wide surface, but instead encounter a wedge-shaped cross-section. This wedge-shaped cross-section can instantly concentrate the tension of the bubble surface film on a very small linear area. Compared to traditional grid bars with rectangular or circular cross-sections, the wedge-shaped cross-sectional structure of this embodiment enhances the active bubble-breaking ability of grid 402. It can produce a smaller, more evenly distributed microbubble cluster, thereby further increasing the total surface area for gas-liquid exchange, achieving a higher degree of gas saturation upon leaving the water surface, and achieving optimal humidification efficiency.

[0056] In this embodiment, the grid 402 is no longer a single layer, but includes at least two layers (for example, upper and lower layers). These grid 402 layers are fixed in the humidification tank 1 through a supporting structure and are stacked up and down at a preset interval.

[0057] The mesh positions of two adjacent layers of grids 402 are staggered, which means that when viewed from above, the projection of any mesh of the lower grid 402 falls on the solid part of the upper grid 402, and vice versa.

[0058] Once a bubble successfully passes through a mesh of the lower grid 402, it cannot continue its straight upward trajectory; its path is inevitably blocked by the solid portion of the upper grid 402. This collision forces the bubble to break up a second time, further fragmenting it. Simultaneously, to continue its ascent, the bubble must first move laterally to find a nearby mesh of the upper grid 402 before passing through.

[0059] In summary, this multi-layer staggered grid 402 structure achieves a higher gas-liquid exchange efficiency by ensuring that the bubbles are refined multiple times and forced to detour in the water, ensuring that the gas ultimately output to the patient can achieve the highest saturation and the best humidification quality.

[0060] In this embodiment, the gas input pipe 3 not only serves as a channel for conveying gas, but also serves as a central supporting skeleton of the entire bubble processing assembly 4 .

[0061] Specifically, the center of the umbrella-shaped flow guide cover 401 and the grille 402 (regardless of whether they are single-layer or multi-layer structures) is provided with a through-hole that matches the outer diameter of the gas inlet pipe 3. During assembly, the umbrella-shaped flow guide cover 401 and the grille 402 are coaxially mounted and secured to the outer wall of the gas inlet pipe 3. This securement can be achieved through integral molding, interference fit, or snap fastening, ensuring a predetermined vertical spacing and coaxial alignment between the umbrella-shaped flow guide cover 401 and the grille 402.

[0062] Through the above structure, the gas inlet tube 3, umbrella-shaped flow guide cover 401, and grille 402 together form an integral, integrated component. When cleaning, disinfecting, or replacing the core bubble processing assembly, the user does not need to use any special tools or perform complex operations inside the humidifier tank 1. The user simply grasps the upper end of the gas inlet tube 3 (or the nozzle cover 5 connected to it) to quickly and vertically lift the entire core bubble processing assembly 4 from the humidifier tank 1.

[0063] The overall plug-in and pull-out operation mode allows the most difficult-to-clean core components to be easily removed for cleaning without dead angles, greatly reducing the risk of bacterial growth and nosocomial infection.

[0064] In this embodiment, the end of the gas inlet pipe 3, i.e., the working section immersed in the humidifying liquid, is no longer a traditional straight tube. Instead, it is constructed as a spiral coil. This spiral coil can be a spring-like coil wound vertically, or a flat coil wound horizontally, similar to a mosquito coil. An outlet 301 for releasing bubbles is also provided on the sidewall of the end.

[0065] When dry, cold air enters from outside and flows through this spiral coil, completely enveloped by warm liquid, it is forced to make a long, circuitous journey. During this process, heat is efficiently and continuously transferred from the warm water outside to the air flowing inside through the tube walls, which have excellent thermal conductivity.

[0066] This ensures that the gas is fully preheated to a temperature close to that of water before it is ultimately released as bubbles. Using warm gas, close to body temperature, to generate bubbles significantly enhances its ability to absorb and carry water vapor (i.e., its saturated vapor pressure) compared to using cold, dry gas. This further improves the heat and moisture exchange efficiency of the entire humidification process, ensuring that the gas ultimately delivered to the patient maintains a more stable and ideally humidified state.

[0067] In this embodiment, the top opening of the humidification tank 1 is sealed by a detachably connected nozzle cover 5. The nozzle cover 5 can be quickly fixed and separated from the tank body of the humidification tank 1 by means of threads or by means of mutually cooperating snap-fit structures provided on the edges of the two. This ensures that when a thorough cleaning or large-volume initial filling is required, the user can conveniently open or remove the nozzle cover 5 completely, allowing a clear view of the interior of the tank body and easy operation.

[0068] The nozzle cover 5 is integrated with at least two different functional interfaces:

[0069] The outlet port 501 is the outlet through which the heated and humidified gas leaves the humidifier tank 1 and leads to the patient. It is constructed as a standard-sized pipe joint for connecting to an external breathing circuit.

[0070] Liquid inlet 502, this interface is the passage that is specially used for daily replenishment humidification liquid.Certainly, this interface is configured to be detachably sealed, to facilitate replenishment humidification liquid.

[0071] In this embodiment, the top end of the aforementioned gas inlet pipe 3 carrying the umbrella-shaped guide cover 401 and the grid 402 (i.e., the end extending out of the humidification liquid surface and close to the top of the humidification tank 1) is structurally integrated with the aforementioned detachable pipe mouth cover 5.

[0072] This connection can be permanent (for example, integrally formed during manufacture) or a secure, semi-permanent connection. In this manner, the nozzle cover 5 and the entire internal core assembly (i.e., the gas inlet tube 3 and any bubble management components 4 secured thereto) together form a handle assembly. In this configuration, the outer edge or top of the nozzle cover 5 naturally forms a handle that is convenient for the user to grip.

[0073] Users no longer need to manipulate the nozzle cover 5 and internal components separately. They simply hold the nozzle cover 5 as a handle, align the entire handle assembly with the opening of the humidifier tank 1, insert it all at once, and lock it by rotating or pressing. Similarly, users can simply hold the nozzle cover 5 like pulling out a cork to completely remove all internal core components from the tank body for cleaning, disinfection, or replacement.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A tracheotomy humidifier, characterized in that: The invention comprises a humidifying tank for containing humidifying liquid, and a heating component for heating the humidifying liquid; A gas input pipe connected to an external gas source is provided in the humidification tank, and the end of the gas input pipe extends to the bottom of the humidification tank and is immersed in the humidification liquid; At least one gas outlet is provided on the side wall of the end of the gas inlet pipe for releasing the dry gas in the form of bubbles; The humidification tank also includes a bubble processing component for dispersing and refining bubbles, and the bubble processing component includes: an umbrella-shaped guide cover provided directly above the air outlet; and a grille arranged above the umbrella-shaped deflector cover.

2. The tracheotomy humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The umbrella-shaped guide cover is a solid structure, and its lower surface is a concave arc surface facing the air outlet, which is used to guide the bubbles released from the air outlet to diffuse radially toward its edge.

3. The tracheotomy humidifier according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of guide ribs arranged along the radial direction are integrally formed on the concave arc surface of the umbrella-shaped guide cover.

4. The tracheotomy humidifier according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer peripheral edge of the umbrella-shaped flow guide cover is configured as a wave-shaped cutting edge for pre-cutting bubbles.

5. The tracheotomy humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solid part constituting the grid is wedge-shaped toward the lower edge of the bottom of the humidifying tank.

6. The tracheotomy humidifier according to claim 5, characterized in that: The grid comprises at least two layers stacked up and down, and the meshes of two adjacent layers are staggered with each other.

7. The tracheotomy humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The umbrella-shaped flow guide cover and the grid are coaxially sleeved and fixed on the outer peripheral wall of the gas inlet pipe, and together with the gas inlet pipe form a detachable independent component.

8. The tracheotomy humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The portion of the gas input pipe immersed in the humidifying liquid is constructed into a spiral coil structure.

9. The tracheotomy humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the humidification tank is provided with a detachable nozzle cover, which is provided with: - an air outlet port connected to the patient's breathing circuit; and a liquid inlet for replenishing the humidifying liquid.

10. The tracheotomy humidifier according to claim 9, characterized in that: The top end of the gas input pipe is connected to the pipe opening cover so as to be installed or removed as a whole.

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