Humidification chamber of medical breathing apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a humidification chamber of a medical breathing apparatus. The humidification chamber of a medical breathing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a main body having a sealed inner space, provided with a liquid input port and a gas input port, and provided with a gas output port through which humidified gas is discharged to the outside, wherein a barrier is formed in the main body to divide the inner space, beyond a certain extent, into a portion where the gas input port is formed and a portion where the gas output port is formed.

Description

Humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device capable of humidifying gas injected into a patient.

[0002] As is well known, ventilators are used in medical institutions as a means to artificially supply a mixture of oxygen and air to patients to sustain their lives until they recover.

[0003] For example, when administering general anesthesia to patients who have difficulty breathing, a gas supply device is used to inject respiratory or anesthetic gases. Since these gases are typically supplied in a cold and dry state, they can cause hypothermia in the patient. Furthermore, particularly in the case of patients requiring surgery, their immune systems are compromised; therefore, the continuous infusion of cold and dry gases can dry out the mucosal tissues of the respiratory system, causing adverse effects on the body.

[0004] Therefore, a method is used in which a vaporizer is installed to humidify the gas during the supply process, and sterile distilled water is heated and vaporized in the vaporizer to inject the gas into the patient with appropriately increased temperature and humidity.

[0005] Such a vaporizer has an internal space for receiving distilled water supplied from the outside, and has a main body formed with a gas inlet for gas to enter and a gas outlet for gas to be discharged along with vaporized distilled water, and the distilled water inside the main body can be heated by an external heat source and vaporized.

[0006] Meanwhile, ventilators and gas supply devices are frequently used not only while stationary but also while moving, such as in ambulances. If the main body shakes due to external shocks or vibrations, the distilled water contained inside is also bound to shake and splash.

[0007] Conventionally, as the interior of the vaporizer body is entirely hollow, as described above, distilled water droplets splashed from the liquid surface inside the body adhered to the inner wall of the body, and due to the positive pressure formed at the gas outlet (pressure for supplying gas to the patient), the distilled water droplets attached to the inner wall of the body were sucked into the hose connected to the gas outlet and eventually moved into the patient's respiratory tract along with the gas.

[0008] In severe cases, a phenomenon occurred where liquid droplets of distilled water splashed from the liquid surface inside the main body were immediately drawn into the gas outlet and discharged to the outside due to the positive pressure formed at the gas outlet.

[0009] In other words, droplets larger than a certain size can be supplied to the patient's respiratory tract; for example, in the case of patients with respiratory diseases such as hepatitis, this phenomenon poses a significant problem as it substantially worsens their symptoms.

[0010] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned conventional problems and aims to provide a humidification chamber for a medical respiratory device that prevents a substance contained within from being discharged in a liquid state rather than a gaseous state and moving into the patient's respiratory tract through a pipe connected to the patient when shaking occurs due to external vibration or shock.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a humidification chamber for a medical device that humidifies and discharges gas introduced into the interior is provided, comprising a main body having an interior space, a liquid input port provided on one side for supplying liquid from the outside to the interior space, a gas input port provided on another side for supplying gas from the outside to the interior space, and a gas output port provided on another side for discharging humidified gas humidified in the interior space to the outside, wherein a barrier is formed on the main body to divide the interior space by a certain amount by separating the portion where the gas input port is formed from the portion where the gas output port is formed.

[0012] The gas input port and gas output port are formed to penetrate the upper surface of the main body, and the barrier may be formed to protrude downward from the inner upper surface of the main body by a certain amount.

[0013] An automatic water supply float is connected to the main body so that the liquid introduced into the internal space through the liquid input port maintains a constant liquid level set within the internal space, and the lowest part of the barrier may be positioned above the liquid level maintained by the automatic water supply float.

[0014] The barrier may be formed with at least one opening cut open so as to laterally connect the first region where the gas input port is formed and the second region where the gas output port is formed.

[0015] At least one auxiliary barrier may be formed protruding downward from the inner upper surface of the main body so as to partially wrap the inner upper surface of the main body around the gas output port in a perimeter direction together with the barrier.

[0016] One end in the width direction that intersects the protrusion direction of at least one auxiliary barrier can be formed to be directly connected to the barrier.

[0017] In order to partially wrap the inner upper surface of the main body around the gas output port in a perimeter direction together with the barrier, at least one auxiliary barrier is formed protruding downward from the inner upper surface of the main body, and the at least one auxiliary barrier may be formed to be positioned corresponding to the side of each of the at least one openings.

[0018] The above gas input port and the above gas output port include a tubular structure, and the diameters of the gas input port and the gas output port may be different.

[0019] The gas input port and the gas output port include a tubular structure, and the gas input port and the gas output port each protrude upward from the outer upper surface of the main body, and the lower height of the gas output port connected to the internal space of the main body may be greater than the lower height of the gas input port.

[0020] A concave groove is formed on the inner upper surface of the main body to be concavely sunken, and a protruding block is formed convexly on the outer upper surface of the main body by the concave groove, and the lower end of the gas output port may be connected to the upper surface of the protruding block.

[0021] According to the humidification chamber of the medical respiratory device of the present invention described above, by forming a barrier to partition the space inside the main body, when shaking of the liquid contained inside occurs due to vibration or shock applied from the outside, it is possible to reliably prevent liquid (droplets of a certain size or larger) that is not in a gaseous state from moving to the patient's respiratory organs through a hose connected to the patient.

[0022] In addition, by forming at least one opening in the barrier, it is possible to reduce the generation of bubbles and bubble noise within the main body while the gas introduced through the gas input port is discharged through the gas output port, and also reduce flow resistance along the gas flow path, thereby enabling smoother gas flow within the main body.

[0023] In addition, by forming an auxiliary barrier, even if a situation occurs where liquid splashes and moves toward the gas output port through the opening, the liquid can be blocked by the auxiliary barrier, thereby effectively preventing the liquid from being discharged to the outside through the gas output port.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which a humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0026] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view showing the upper body of the main body of the humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1,

[0028] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a droplet splashing and being blocked by a barrier based on the case where the water level inside the main body is at a normal water level in the humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the gas flow state within the main body based on FIG. 5,

[0030] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a droplet passing through an opening of a barrier and then being blocked by an auxiliary barrier in a humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device according to an embodiment of the present invention, based on the case where the water level inside the main body is at a normal water level.

[0031] FIGS. 8 and 9 are a side cross-sectional view and a plan view showing the gas flow state based on the case where the water level inside the main body is higher than the normal water level in the humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a modified example of a humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms; these embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Identical reference numerals in the drawings refer to identical elements.

[0034] A humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention humidifies gas introduced into the interior and then supplies it to the patient, thereby preventing the liquid contained within, specifically a droplet of a certain size or larger, from being discharged toward the outlet connected to the patient when shaking occurs due to vibration or shock applied from the outside.

[0035] To elaborate, the present invention can reliably prevent liquid (droplets of a certain size or larger) that is splashed by shaking caused by external vibrations or shocks from moving into the patient's respiratory tract through a hose connected to the patient's side when shaking of the liquid contained inside occurs.

[0036]

[0037] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the humidification chamber (1000, hereinafter referred to as the 'humidification chamber') of a medical respiratory device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a humidification chamber for a medical device that humidifies and discharges gas introduced into it. It is configured to receive gas generated from an artificial respirator (not shown), replenish moisture to the gas, and discharge humidified gas. The replenishment of moisture to the gas is achieved by supplying steam generated by heating water supplied into the humidification chamber (1000). Here, the gas supplied to the humidification chamber (1000) can be a breathing gas or anesthetic gas.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a heating plate (10) that generates heat by receiving power is provided on one side of a main body that can be coupled with a humidification chamber (1000), and the heating plate (10) is a heating plate made of metal material and can heat and vaporize a liquid contained inside the humidification chamber (1000) to a predetermined temperature. The humidification chamber (1000) can be used in a state where it is seated on the upper surface of the heating plate (10).

[0040] The present invention provides a gas (breathing gas or anesthetic gas) that is introduced into a humidification chamber (1000) and mixed with steam generated within the humidification chamber (1000) to provide a gas mixed with steam to a patient. Both the breathing gas and the anesthetic gas are collectively referred to as 'gas', and the gas mixed with steam generated by the vaporization of the gas and the liquid within the humidification chamber (1000) is referred to as 'humidifying gas'.

[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a humidification chamber (1000) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body (100) having a sealed internal space that can receive water supplied into it.

[0042] The main body (100) includes an upper main body (110) having an internal space formed to accommodate water and an open lower side, and a heat transfer plate (120) made of metal material that is coupled to close the lower opening of the upper main body (110) and receives heat from a heating plate (10) and transfers it to the water accommodated in the upper main body (110).

[0043] Additionally, a liquid input port (112) is provided on one side of the main body (100) to supply liquid (water) from the outside to the internal space, a gas input port (114) is provided on another side to supply gas from the outside to the internal space, and a gas output port (116) is provided on yet another side to discharge humidified gas from the internal space to the outside.

[0044] Here, the gas input port (114) and the gas output port (116) include a tubular structure, and the gas input port (114) and the gas output port (116) are formed to penetrate the upper surface of the main body (100), specifically the upper surface of the upper main body (110). A hose (118) forming a gas flow path is connected to each of the gas input port (114) and the gas output port (116).

[0045] Additionally, an automatic water supply floater (140) is connected to the main body (100) so that liquid introduced into the internal space of the main body (100) through the liquid input port (112) maintains a constant water level set within the internal space.

[0046] The automatic water supply floater (140) is a floating body capable of floating on the water surface by buoyancy, and can allow or block the supply of liquid into the main body (100) by simultaneously moving up and down in accordance with fluctuations in the liquid level within the main body (100) and opening or closing the liquid discharge port of the liquid input port (112). Therefore, as long as no abnormality occurs at the connection point between the liquid input port (112) and the automatic water supply floater (140), liquid is always contained within the main body (100) at a set level.

[0047] Meanwhile, as described above, the present invention is intended to prevent liquid (droplets of a certain size or larger) splashed by shaking from the main body (100) when shaking of the liquid contained inside the main body (100) occurs due to vibration or shock applied from the outside, from moving to the patient's respiratory organs through the gas output port (116) and the hose (118) connected to the gas output port (116).

[0048] To this end, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, a barrier (200) is formed in the main body (100), specifically in the upper main body (110), to divide the internal space of the upper main body (110) by separating the part where the gas input port (114) is formed and the part where the gas output port (116) is formed, so as to divide the internal space of the upper main body (110) by a certain amount.

[0049] Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the barrier (200) may be formed in a ring shape that surrounds the gas output port (116) formed in the upper surface of the main body (100) in a circumferential direction. Accordingly, even if the liquid shakes within the main body (100), liquid droplets splashed by the shaking can be blocked by the barrier (200) and prevented from flowing into the gas output port (116).

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, it is preferable that the barrier (200) be formed to protrude downward from the inner upper surface of the main body (100) for a certain length or longer so as to more stably prevent liquid from splashing toward the gas output port (116) due to shaking of the main body (100).

[0051] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable that the lowest part of the barrier (200) be positioned above the liquid level maintained by the automatic water supply floater (140) so that the gas introduced into the gas input port (114) is smoothly discharged into the gas output port (116).

[0052] That is, a gap is formed between the liquid level and the bottom of the barrier (200), and thus, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, gas introduced into the main body (100) through the gas input port (114) can pass through this gap over the barrier (200) to the inner space adjacent to the gas output port (116) and then be finally discharged through the gas output port (116).

[0053] Based on FIG. 4, when the barrier (200) substantially includes a circular ring structure, it is preferable that the diameter of the automatic water supply float (140) be formed smaller than the diameter of the barrier (200) so that the upward and downward movement of the automatic water supply float (140) due to water level fluctuations within the main body (100) is not obstructed. For example, the diameter of the automatic water supply float (140) may be formed to be about 3 to 8 mm smaller than the diameter of the barrier (200).

[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, as described above, a fine gap with a width of 3 to 8 mm is formed between the automatic water supply floater (140) and the bottom of the barrier (200). However, except for this fine gap, the automatic water supply floater (140) is positioned to mostly close the bottom opening area of ​​the barrier (200), so that water droplets generated by the shaking of the main body (100) do not splash and flow into the gas output port (116) through this fine gap.

[0055] The above description is based on the case where the liquid level inside the main body (100) is maintained at a set normal level by the automatic water supply floater (140). However, if a problem occurs at the connection point between the liquid input port (112) and the automatic water supply floater (140), the liquid inside the main body (100) may be filled at a level higher than the set normal level.

[0056] That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lowest part of the barrier (200) may be located below the liquid level. In this case, the gas introduced into the gas input port (114) must pass through the liquid and then be discharged through the gas output port (116). Consequently, a problem may arise where a large amount of bubble noise occurs along with gas bubbles in the liquid contained within the main body.

[0057] To complement this, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6, and 9, the barrier (200) is formed with at least one opening (240) cut open so as to laterally connect the first region (210) where the gas input port (114) is formed and the second region (220) where the gas output port (116) is formed. For example, the openings (240) may be formed as a pair facing each other.

[0058] Accordingly, when the liquid level inside the main body (100) rises above the normal level due to an abnormal occurrence, the gas introduced into the gas input port (114) can move smoothly from the first area (210) to the second area (220) through at least one opening (240) and then be finally discharged through the gas output port (116), thereby reducing bubble generation and bubble noise.

[0059] Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 9, gas introduced through the gas input port (114) flows along the wall of the barrier (200), moves to the second area (220) through the opening (240), and is discharged through the gas output port (116). The present invention can increase the residence time for gas flow within the main body (100) through the barrier (200) and the opening (240), thereby increasing the humidification efficiency.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present invention, the opening (240) serves as a gas flow path even when the liquid level in the main body (100) maintains a normal level.

[0061] Additionally, as described above, the gas introduced into the main body (100) through the gas input port (114) moves through the gap between the liquid level and the bottom of the barrier (200) to the inner space adjacent to the gas output port (116), but since the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path (cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path for gas flow) formed through the gap is small, flow resistance is bound to occur above a certain level.

[0062] In this case, the gas introduced through the gas input port (114) moves simultaneously to the gas output port (116) through the opening (240) along with the gap, thereby reducing flow resistance in the gas flow path and enabling smoother gas flow within the main body (100).

[0063] Meanwhile, based on the case where the water level inside the main body (100) rises above the normal water level, a situation may occur where liquid splashed by shaking of the main body (100) moves more easily toward the gas output port (116) through the opening (240), that is, a situation in which liquid splashes toward the gas output port (116).

[0064] To complement this, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, at least one auxiliary barrier (300) is formed protruding downward from the inner upper surface of the main body (100) so that the inner upper surface of the main body (100) around the gas output port (116) can be partially wrapped in a circumferential direction together with the barrier (200).

[0065] Therefore, even if a situation occurs where liquid splashes and moves through the opening (240) to the second area (220), which is the gas output port (116), such liquid is blocked by the auxiliary barrier (300), thereby reliably preventing the liquid from moving to the gas output port (116).

[0066] In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, one end of the width direction (W) that intersects the protrusion direction (P) of at least one auxiliary barrier (300) is formed to be directly connected to the barrier (200).

[0067] That is, there is no gap between one end of the width direction (W) of the auxiliary barrier (300) and the barrier (200), and liquid splashed inside the main body (100) can be fundamentally blocked from moving to the gas output port (116) side through this gap.

[0068] In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, at least one auxiliary barrier (300) is extended and formed to be positioned on the side of each of the at least one opening (240).

[0069] Therefore, even if a situation occurs where the internal liquid splashes out due to shaking of the main body (100) and moves through the opening (240) toward the gas output port (116), which is the second area (220), such liquid is more efficiently blocked by the auxiliary barrier (300) as shown in FIG. 7, thereby preventing the liquid from moving toward the gas output port (116) even more stably.

[0070] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the gas input port (114) and the gas output port (116) include a tubular structure, and the gas input port (114) and the gas output port (116) each protrude upward from the outer upper surface of the main body (100), and the lower height of the gas output port (116) connected to the internal space of the main body (100) is made greater than the lower height of the gas input port (114).

[0071] That is, the distance between the liquid surface within the main body (100) and the bottom of the gas output port (116) is formed to be greater than the distance between the liquid surface within the main body (100) and the bottom of the gas input port (114), so that when the liquid splashes due to shaking of the main body (100), the splashing liquid can be more stably prevented from entering the gas output port (116). To elaborate, by further increasing the distance between the liquid surface and the bottom of the gas output port (116), the splashing liquid droplets can be efficiently prevented from entering the gas output port (116).

[0072] To increase the distance between them, a concave groove (160) is formed on the inner upper surface of the main body (100) so as to be concavely sunken, and a protruding block (170) is formed on the outer upper surface of the main body (100) so as to be convexly protruded by the concave groove (160), and the lower end of the gas output port (116) is connected to the upper surface of the protruding block (170).

[0073] That is, the lowest end of the gas output port (116) is connected to the upper surface of the protruding block (170), and the distance between the lowest end of the gas output port (116) and the liquid surface inside the main body (100) is increased by the height of the protruding block (170) compared to when the lowest end of the gas output port (116) is located on the upper surface of the upper main body (110), thereby further blocking the inflow of liquid into the gas output port (116).

[0074] In an embodiment of the present invention, as a modified example, as shown in FIG. 10, the gas input port (114) and the gas output port (116) include a tubular structure, and the diameters of the gas input port (114) and the gas output port (116) may be different.

[0075] Here, the end diameters of the hose connected to the gas input port (114) and the hose connected to the gas output port (116) are different from each other, so that in an emergency situation, medical personnel can prevent medical accidents from occurring by connecting the hose (118) that should be connected to the gas input port (114) to the gas output port (116), or conversely, connecting the hose (118) that should be connected to the gas output port (116) to the gas input port (114).

[0076] To elaborate, the inner diameter of the gas input port (114) can be 22mm, and the outer diameter of the gas output port (116) can be 22mm. Therefore, the breathing circuit connected to the gas output port (116) can only be connected to the gas output port due to the difference in diameter between the gas input port and the gas output port.

[0077] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described above in relation to preferred embodiments for illustrating the principles of the invention, the invention is not limited to the configuration and operation as illustrated and described. Rather, those skilled in the art will understand that numerous changes and modifications to the invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0078] The present invention has industrial applicability in that it prevents a substance contained within from being discharged in a liquid state rather than a gaseous state and moving into the patient's respiratory tract through a pipe connected to the patient when shaking occurs due to external vibration or shock.

Claims

1. A humidification chamber that humidifies and discharges gas introduced into the interior, The main body comprises an internal space, a liquid input port provided on one side to supply liquid from the outside into the internal space, a gas input port provided on another side to supply gas from the outside into the internal space, and a gas output port provided on yet another side to discharge humidified gas humidified in the internal space to the outside. A humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device, wherein the main body has a barrier formed therein to divide the internal space by a certain amount by separating the portion where the gas input port is formed and the portion where the gas output port is formed.

2. In Paragraph 1, A humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device in which the gas input port and gas output port are formed to penetrate the upper surface of the main body, and the barrier is formed to protrude downward from the inner upper surface of the main body by a certain amount.

3. In Paragraph 2, An automatic water supply float is connected to the main body so that the liquid introduced into the internal space through the liquid input port maintains a constant water level set within the internal space. A humidification chamber of a medical breathing device configured such that the lowest part of the above barrier is positioned above the liquid level maintained by the above automatic water supply floater.

4. In Paragraph 2, A humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device formed such that at least one opening is cut into the barrier to laterally connect the first region in which the gas input port is formed and the second region in which the gas output port is formed.

5. In Paragraph 2, A humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device having at least one auxiliary barrier protruding downward from the inner upper surface of the main body so as to be able to partially wrap the inner upper surface of the main body around the gas output port in a circumferential direction together with the barrier.

6. In Paragraph 5, A humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device, wherein one end in the width direction intersecting the protrusion direction of at least one auxiliary barrier is directly connected to the barrier.

7. In Paragraph 4, At least one auxiliary barrier is formed protruding downward from the inner upper surface of the main body so as to enable the inner upper surface of the main body around the gas output port to be partially wrapped in a perimeter direction together with the barrier, The above at least one auxiliary barrier is formed to be positioned to correspond to the side of the at least one opening, respectively, of the humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device.

8. In Paragraph 1, A humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device in which the gas input port and the gas output port include a tubular structure and the diameters of the gas input port and the gas output port are different.

9. In Paragraph 1, The above gas input port and the above gas output port include a tubular structure, and The above gas input port and gas output port each protrude upward from the outer upper surface of the main body, and A humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device in which the lower height of the gas output port connected to the internal space of the main body is greater than the lower height of the gas input port.

10. In Paragraph 9, A concave groove is formed on the inner upper surface of the above main body so as to be concavely sunken, and On the outer upper surface of the above main body, a protruding block is formed convexly by the concave groove, and A humidification chamber of a medical respiratory device in which the lower end of the above gas output port is connected to the upper surface of the above protruding block.

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