Cannula

Abstract

To provide a cannula in which water droplets do not accumulate on a prong attached to the tip of the cannula. The cannula is connected to a prong, and an oxygen gas supply pipe and a hydrogen gas supply pipe are respectively extended to the prong and connected to the prong, and the cannula is configured as follows: a water stop trap is provided midway along each of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe to prevent water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas from being supplied to the prongs; Each of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe has a low-temperature portion between the water stop trap and the prong, the low-temperature portion being lower in temperature than other portions.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cannula for delivering two different respiratory gases to a user. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional cannulas have a bifurcated base end with a supply tube that merges into one along the way. There are two types: one with a water stop trap connected and a prong attached to the tip, and one with a single supply pipe running from the base to the tip, with a water stop trap connected midway and a prong attached to the tip.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a cannula that is used in high-flow oxygen therapy and is configured with a single supply tube from the base end to the tip end. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-86326 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the inhaled gas supplied to the cannula mainly includes oxygen gas and hydrogen gas, and these gases contain water vapor.

[0006] To remove this water vapor, a water trap is installed between the proximal and distal ends of the cannula, but it is difficult to completely remove the water vapor, and water droplets pass through the trap and accumulate on the prongs. This causes discomfort for many users, and requires frequent removal of the water droplets that accumulate on the prongs.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cannula that does not allow water droplets to accumulate on the prongs attached to the tip of the cannula. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve this problem, the invention of claim 1 provides a method for decomposing water into oxygen gas and hydrogen gas by an electrolysis unit, The oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas are supplied through an oxygen gas supply pipe and a hydrogen gas supply pipe, a cannula extending to and connected to the prong, The oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe are made of resin and formed into a pipe shape, a water stop trap is provided midway along each of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe to prevent water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas from being supplied to the prongs; A low-temperature section is provided in each of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe between the water stop trap and the prong, and the low-temperature section is made of metal formed into a pipe shape or formed by wrapping metal wire around resin, and the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas flow through the low-temperature section, and the low-temperature section is configured so that when the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas pass through the low-temperature section, water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas condenses and liquefies, generating water droplets inside the low-temperature section and flowing into the water stop trap. It is characterized by:

[0009] The invention according to claim 2 is a method for decomposing a gas into oxygen gas and hydrogen gas by an electrolysis unit, and and A cannula in which the hydrogen gas is extended to a prong by a supply tube and connected to the prong, The supply pipe is made of resin formed into a pipe shape, a water stop trap is provided in the supply pipe to prevent water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas from being supplied to the prongs; a low-temperature section formed by forming a metal pipe or by wrapping a metal wire around a resin in a part of the supply pipe between the water stop trap and the prong, the low-temperature section being lower in temperature than other parts by the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas flowing inside; The low-temperature section is configured such that, when the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas pass through, water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas is condensed and liquefied, and water droplets are generated inside the low-temperature section and flow into the water stop trap. It is characterized by:

[0010] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the low-temperature portion is a flexible metal tube connected at both ends to the other portion.

[0012] Claim 4 The invention is characterized in that the water stop trap is provided with an absorption member that absorbs water that has flowed from the low-temperature section, and the absorption member is replaceable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 1, a water stop trap is provided midway along each of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe to prevent water droplets from accumulating on the prongs, and a portion of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe between the water stop trap and the prongs Each of these has a low-temperature section, which is made of metal formed into a pipe shape or by wrapping a metal wire around resin, and which becomes cooler than other sections as oxygen gas and hydrogen gas flow through it. This creates a temperature difference between the low-temperature parts of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe and the other parts, causing water droplets to form in the low-temperature parts of the supply pipe and flow into the water trap, preventing water droplets from accumulating on the prongs.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 2, a water stop trap is provided in the supply pipe to prevent water droplets from being supplied to the prongs, and a part between the water stop trap and the prongs The low-temperature portion is formed by forming a metal pipe or by winding a metal wire around a resin, and oxygen gas and hydrogen gas flow through the inside, thereby creating a low-temperature portion that is lower in temperature than other portions. This creates a temperature difference between the low-temperature parts of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe and the other parts, causing water droplets to form in the low-temperature parts of the supply pipe and flow into the water trap, preventing water droplets from accumulating on the prongs.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 3, a flexible metal pipe is connected to the low-temperature section, with both ends connected to the other parts of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe. This creates a temperature difference between the flexible metal pipe in the low-temperature section and the other parts, causing water droplets to form inside the flexible metal pipe and flow into the water stop trap.

[0017] Claim 4 According to the invention described in the above, the water stop trap is provided with an absorbent member that absorbs water flowing from the low-temperature section, and the absorbent member is replaceable. By periodically replacing the absorbent member, water droplets that flow into the water stop trap side will not flow into the prong side, and the user can receive a comfortable supply of oxygen and hydrogen. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrolysis unit and a cannula attached to the electrolysis unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]1 is a schematic diagram of a cannula according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a water trap mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water stop trap according to the first embodiment of the present invention when opened. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prong according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a front view of a flexible metal tube provided between the prong and the second water trap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a metal-wrapped low-temperature section disposed between the prong and the second water trap according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view of a metal-wrapped low-temperature section according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cannula according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [First embodiment of the invention] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a base end 5 of an oxygen gas supply pipe 7 of a cannula 4 and a base end 6 of a hydrogen gas supply pipe 8 are attached to an oxygen gas outlet 2 and a hydrogen gas outlet 3 provided in a decomposition unit 1, respectively, so that oxygen gas and hydrogen gas are supplied to the cannula 4.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the cannula 4 has an oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and a hydrogen gas supply pipe 8 each extended to a prong 11.

[0022] The cannula 4 is also composed of an oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and a hydrogen gas supply pipe 8 made of resin (silicone in this embodiment), a first water stop trap 12 and a second water stop trap 13 (the water stop traps described in claim 1) made of plastic and connected to the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, a flexible metal pipe 14 made of stainless steel, and prongs 11 made of resin connected to the tip 15 of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and the tip 16 of the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8.

[0023] The two first water traps 12 are respectively provided near the base end 5 of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and the base end 6 of the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, as shown in Figure 1, and are configured to absorb water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and hydrogen gas flowing through the first water traps 12.

[0024] The two second water traps 13 are provided at positions far from the base end 5 of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and the base end 6 of the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, respectively, as shown in FIG.

[0025] In addition, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the second water stop trap 13 is composed of a first segment 18 and a second segment 19, from the side closest to the flexible metal pipe 14 provided between the prong 11 and the second water stop trap 13.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first partition 18 is formed in a cylindrical body 20, with a cylindrical portion 21 protruding into the interior of the cylindrical body 20, and a space 22 is provided around the cylindrical portion 21 so that an absorption member 26 made of a polymer absorbent can be replaced and detached, and the cylindrical portion 21 to which an oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and a hydrogen gas supply pipe 8 are connected is formed protruding from the outside.

[0027] In addition, the tip portion 23 of the first divided body 18 is formed with a smaller diameter than the base end portion 24, and two L-shaped grooves 27 are formed facing each other on the outer peripheral surface 25 of the tip portion 23, and a gasket 28 is provided on the lower part of the outer peripheral surface 25.

[0028] The second partition 19 is formed into a cylindrical body 29, and a cylindrical portion 30 is provided so as to protrude inside the cylindrical body 29, and a cylindrical portion 30 to which an oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and a hydrogen gas supply pipe 8 are connected is formed so as to protrude outside.

[0029] The tip end 31 of the second divided body 19 is formed to have the same diameter as the base end 32, and two protrusions 34 are formed on the inner circumferential surface 33 of the tip end 31 so as to face each other.

[0030] The second water stop trap 13 is configured so that the tip 23 of the first partition 18 is inserted into the tip 31 of the second partition 19, the two protrusions 34 on the inner surface 33 of the second partition 19 are inserted into the L-shaped groove 27 formed on the outer surface 25 of the first partition 18, and the first partition 18 and the second partition 19 are locked by twisting them, and are sealed by the gasket 28 provided on the tip 23 of the first partition 18.

[0031] In addition, the absorption member 26 provided in the first partition 18 of the second water trap 13 is configured to absorb water vapor contained in oxygen gas and hydrogen gas, and also to absorb water droplets flowing from the flexible metal pipe 14.

[0032] The configurations of the first divided body 18 and the second divided body 19 of the first water stop trap 12 are the same as the configurations of the first divided body 18 and the second divided body 19 of the second water stop trap 13.

[0033] The flexible metal tube is a low-temperature section located between the prong 11 and the second water stop trap 13 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is formed to be soft and supple as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, and has a spiral groove 39 formed in it from one end 37 to the other end 38 to increase the surface area, and the spiral groove 39 is formed so as to lower the surface temperature.

[0034] As a result, the surface temperature of the flexible metal pipe 14 is configured to be lower than the temperatures of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, and water droplets are generated by condensation inside the flexible metal pipe 14, and the water droplets flow into the first partition 18 of the second water stop trap 13.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the prong 11 is connected to the tip 15 of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and the tip 16 of the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, and as shown in Figure 5, a partition 45 is provided in the center, oxygen gas is supplied to one end 42, hydrogen gas is supplied to the other end 43, and the supplied oxygen gas and hydrogen gas are sprayed from the two spray protrusions 36, respectively.

[0036] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, a base end 5 of an oxygen gas supply pipe 7 of a cannula 4 and a base end 6 of a hydrogen gas supply pipe 8 are connected to an oxygen gas outlet 2 and a hydrogen gas outlet 3 of a decomposition unit 1, respectively, and oxygen gas is supplied to the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and hydrogen gas is supplied to the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, oxygen gas supplied to the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 is supplied to the first water stop trap 12, and the water vapor contained in the oxygen gas is absorbed by the absorption member 26 and passes through the first water stop trap 12.

[0039] The oxygen gas that has passed through the first water stop trap 12 is supplied to the second water stop trap 13 via the oxygen gas supply pipe 7, and the water vapor contained in the oxygen gas is absorbed by the absorption member 26 and passes through the second water stop trap 13.

[0040] The oxygen gas that has passed through the second water trap 13 is supplied to the flexible metal pipe 14 from one end 37 of the flexible metal pipe 14 via the oxygen gas supply pipe 7, and passes through the inside of the flexible metal pipe 14.

[0041] When oxygen gas passes through the inside of the flexible metal tube 14, the surface temperature of the flexible metal tube 14 becomes lower than the temperature of other parts of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7, and the temperature inside the flexible metal tube 14 also drops, causing condensation and water droplets to form inside the flexible metal tube 14.When the cannula 4 is used, the flexible metal tube 14 is above the second water stop trap 13, so the water droplets that form flow into the first divided body 18 of the second water stop trap 13 and are absorbed by the absorption member 26.

[0042] The absorbing member 26 needs to be replaced periodically.

[0043] The oxygen gas passing through the flexible metal tube 14 passes through the other end 38 of the flexible metal tube 14, passes through the oxygen gas supply pipe 7, and is supplied from one end 42 of the prong 11 connected to the tip 15 of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8 is supplied to the first water stop trap 12, and the water vapor contained in the hydrogen gas is absorbed by the absorption member 26 and passes through the first water stop trap 12.

[0045] The hydrogen gas that has passed through the first water stop trap 12 is supplied to the second water stop trap 13 via the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, and the water vapor contained in the hydrogen gas is absorbed by the absorption member 26 and passes through the second water stop trap 13.

[0046] The hydrogen gas that has passed through the second water trap 13 is supplied to the flexible metal pipe 14 from one end 37 of the flexible metal pipe 14 via the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8 and passes through the inside of the flexible metal pipe 14.

[0047] When hydrogen gas passes through the interior of the flexible metal pipe 14, the surface temperature of the flexible metal pipe 14 becomes lower than the temperature of other parts of the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, the temperature inside the flexible metal pipe 14 also drops, condensation occurs, and water droplets form inside the flexible metal pipe 14.The water droplets flow into the first partition 18 of the second water stop trap 13 and are absorbed by the absorption member 26.

[0048] The absorbing member 26 needs to be replaced periodically.

[0049] The hydrogen gas passing through the flexible metal tube 14 passes through the other end 38 of the flexible metal tube 14, passes through the hydrogen gas supply tube 8, and is supplied from the other end 43 of the prong 11 connected to the tip 16 of the hydrogen gas supply tube 8.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, oxygen gas is supplied from one end 42 of the prong 11, which has a partition 45 provided inside, and hydrogen gas is supplied from the other end 43, and these gases are each sprayed into the nasal cavity 44 from the spray convex portion 36.

[0051] As described above, the water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and hydrogen gas sprayed from the spray convex portion 36 of the prong 11 is removed by the first water trap 12, the second water trap 13, and the flexible metal tube 14, resulting in cannula 4 in which water droplets do not accumulate on the prong 11. [Second embodiment of the invention] Next, an embodiment using a different structure from the low temperature section of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the low-temperature section 46 between the second water trap 13 and the prong 11 is provided with a Teflon tube 40, and metal 41 (e.g., aluminum material) is spirally wrapped around the surface of the Teflon tube 40.

[0053] The surface temperature of the Teflon tube 40 around which the metal 41 is wound in a spiral shape is configured to be lower than the temperature of the other parts of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, and water droplets are generated by condensation inside the Teflon tube 40 around which the metal 41 is wound in a spiral shape, and the water droplets are configured to flow into the absorption member 26 provided in the first divided body 18 of the second water stop trap 13.

[0054] The following description will be omitted as the structure and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment. [Third embodiment of the invention] Next, an embodiment using a cannula 51 having a different configuration from the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, a base end 50 of a mixed gas supply pipe 49 is attached to a mixed gas outlet (not shown) provided in a decomposition unit (not shown), and a mixed gas of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas is supplied to a cannula 51.

[0056] The cannula 51 is composed of a mixed gas supply pipe 49 made of resin, a first water stop trap 12 and a second water stop trap 13 connected midway along the mixed gas supply pipe 49, an aluminum pipe 54 which is the low-temperature section 46, and a prong 52 connected to the tip 53 of the mixed gas supply pipe 49.

[0057] In addition, cannula 51 is configured such that mixed gas supply pipe 49 is bifurcated between tip 55 of aluminum tube 54 and prong 52, and is connected to one end 56 and the other end 57 of prong 52, allowing mixed gas to be supplied.

[0058] The aluminum tube 54 is a low-temperature section 46 located between the second water trap 13 and the prong 52, and is configured so that the surface temperature of the aluminum tube 54 is lower than that of the other parts of the mixed gas supply pipe 49, and so that condensation inside the aluminum tube 54 generates water droplets, which flow into the first partition 18 of the second water trap 13.

[0059] The prong 52 is configured such that the tip 53 of the bifurcated mixed gas supply pipe 49 is connected to one end 56 and the other end 57 of the prong, and the mixed gas is supplied and sprayed from two spray protrusions 58.

[0060] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0061] The mixed gas supplied to the mixed gas supply pipe 49 passes through the mixed gas supply pipe 49, the first water stop trap and the second water stop trap, and then passes through the mixed gas supply pipe 49 and the inside of the aluminum pipe 54.

[0062] When the mixed gas passes through the inside of the aluminum tube 54, the surface temperature of the aluminum tube 54 becomes lower than the temperature of the other parts of the mixed gas supply pipe 49, the temperature inside the aluminum tube 54 drops, and water droplets form inside the aluminum tube 54 due to condensation.The water droplets that form flow into the first partition 18 of the second water stop trap 13 located below the aluminum tube 54 and are absorbed by the absorption member 26.

[0063] The absorbing member 26 needs to be replaced periodically.

[0064] The mixed gas passing through the aluminum tube 54 passes through the tip 55 of the aluminum tube 54 and then passes through the mixed gas supply pipe 49 that branches into two between the tip 55 of the aluminum tube 54 and the prong 52, The mixed gas is supplied from one end 56 and the other end 57 of the prong 11 connected to the tip 53 of the mixed gas supply pipe 49 .

[0065] The mixed gas supplied to the prongs 52 is sprayed from the spray convex portions 58 into the nasal cavities (not shown).

[0066] The structure and operation of the first water stop trap 12 and the second water stop trap 13 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0067] As described above, the water vapor contained in the mixed gas sprayed from the spray convex portion 36 of the prong 52 is removed by the first water trap 12, the second water trap 13, and the aluminum tube 54, resulting in a cannula 4 in which water droplets do not accumulate on the prong 52.

[0068] As for the material of the flexible metal pipe 14 described in the first embodiment, any metal material may be used as long as it allows the low-temperature portion 46 between the second water trap 13 and the prong 11 to be at a lower temperature than the other parts of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and the hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, and is a material that does not develop water rust, and water droplets will not accumulate on the prong 11.

[0069] In addition, in the second embodiment, a non-metallic Teflon tube 40 with metal 41 wound around it in a spiral is used in the low-temperature section 46 between the second water trap 13 and the prong 11, but the material is not limited to Teflon as long as it is a non-metallic material that has a lower temperature than the other parts of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and hydrogen gas supply pipe 8.

[0070] In addition, metal may be wrapped around parts of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and hydrogen gas supply pipe 8 made of resin in the low-temperature section 46 between the second water trap 13 and the prong 11 to make the temperature lower than the other parts of the oxygen gas supply pipe 7 and hydrogen gas supply pipe 8, making it possible to effectively utilize the cannula that is available. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Disassembly Unit 2 Oxygen gas outlet 3 Hydrogen gas outlet 4 Cannula 5 Proximal end 6 Proximal end 7. Oxygen gas supply pipe 8 Hydrogen gas supply pipe 11 prongs 12 First water stop trap 13 Second water stop trap 14 Flexible metal pipe 15 Tip 16 Tip 18 First division body 19 Second split body 20 cylinder 21 Cylindrical part 22 Space 23 Tip 24 Proximal end 25 Outer surface 26 Absorbing member 27 L-shaped groove 28 Gasket 29 Cylinder 30 Cylindrical part 31 Tip 32 Proximal end 33 Inner peripheral surface 34 Protrusion 35 water drops 36 Injection protrusion 37 One end 38 Other end 39 Spiral groove 40 Teflon tube 41 metal 42 One end 43 Other end 44 Nasal cavity 45 Dividers 46 Low temperature section 47 One end 48 other end 49 Mixed gas supply pipe 50 Proximal end 51 Cannula 52 prongs 53 Tip 54 Aluminum pipe 55 Tip 56 One end 57 Other end 58 Injection protrusion

Claims

1. A cannula in which oxygen gas and hydrogen gas are decomposed by an electrolysis unit, and the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas are supplied to prongs via an oxygen gas supply pipe and a hydrogen gas supply pipe, and the prongs are connected to the cannula; the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe are made of resin formed into a pipe shape, and a water stop trap is provided midway along each of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe to prevent water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas from being supplied to the prongs; a low-temperature section formed by forming a metal pipe or by wrapping a metal wire around a resin in a pipe shape in a portion of each of the oxygen gas supply pipe and the hydrogen gas supply pipe between the water stop trap and the prong, the low-temperature section being lower in temperature than other portions as the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas flow therethrough; A cannula characterized in that each of the low-temperature sections is configured such that, when the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas pass through, the water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas condenses and liquefies, generating water droplets inside the low-temperature section and flowing into the water stop trap.

2. A cannula that is connected to a prong and extends through a supply tube that decomposes the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas into oxygen gas and hydrogen gas by an electrolysis unit, and is connected to the prong; the supply pipe is made of resin and has a water stop trap provided midway along the supply pipe to prevent water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas from being supplied to the prongs; a low-temperature section formed by forming a metal pipe or by wrapping a metal wire around a resin in a part of the supply pipe between the water stop trap and the prong, the low-temperature section being lower in temperature than other parts by the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas flowing inside; The cannula is characterized in that it is configured such that, when the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas pass through the low-temperature section, the water vapor contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas condenses and liquefies, generating water droplets inside the low-temperature section and flowing into the water stop trap.

3. 3. The cannula according to claim 1, wherein the low-temperature portion is a flexible metal tube connected at both ends to the other portion.

4. 3. The cannula according to claim 1, wherein the water trap is provided with an absorbent member for absorbing water flowing from the low-temperature portion, and the absorbent member is replaceable.

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