HUMIDIFYING MEANS

• US 3,659,604 A
• Filed: 03/30/1970
• Issued: 05/02/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfred W. Melville, Christopher G. Brickell, David H O'Hare
• Original Assignee: Alfred W. Melville, Christopher G. Brickell, David H O'Hare
• Inventors: O'Hare, David H., Brickell, Christopher G., Melville, Alfred W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mitchell, J. B.
• Application Number:
  US05/023,770
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 128/212,254-258,185,186,192,193,173.2,205,207,209,188 261/DIG.34,DIG.65,142
• US Class Current: 128/203.27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1095 in the connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers

Abstract

A humidifying means has a container for water which is removable from a source of heat, with the container being provided with a cover defining an air space with an inlet for gases and an outlet for gases and water vapor, the whole being removable for sterilization or other purposes. Temperature control means are provided externally of the container to control the temperature of the water in the container. A hose connects the outlet for gases and water vapor to a patient undergoing assisted or artificial respiration and this hose has a heating element therein arranged longitudinally to reduce or obviate condensation in the hose.

Claims

1. An apparatus for humidifying and heating air to be breathed by a patient undergoing artificial respiration, comprising humidification and heating means to heat air to a suitable temperature which does not exceed, under steady operating conditions, the maximum desired temperature at which the air is to be admitted into the patient'"'"''"'"'s body, and to substantially saturate the air with water vapor at that output temperature;

said humidification and heating means comprising a body portion having a first part thereof defining a water container adapted to be pressurized and adapted to have water introduced therein from time to time in use; and

a second part cooperable with the first part for providing an air space above the level of water in the first part, external heating means for said first part, said first part being adapted to be maintained in thermal contact with said external heating means, and control means to sense the temperature of the water contained in said first part aNd control the external heating means to maintain the temperature of the water at the desired level, releasable clamping means clamping said first part to said external heating means to permit said first part to be removed from the external heating means for sterilization or other purposes, a heat conductive plate defining a tortuous path provided with suitably spaced convolutions defining a core with a central axis therethrough, said heat conductive plate being located partly in said first part and partly in said air space defined by the first and second parts;

a water absorbent material disposed along the tortuous path defined by said heat conductive plate;

said second part having first and second air passage defining means providing communication between the interior of the body portion and the exterior thereof, said first air passage defining means adapted to be put in flow communication with a patient and said second passage defining means being adapted to be connected with a source of gas, at least the entrance of said first air passage defining means constituting an air outlet being above water level and in flow communication with the core of the tortuous path, with said water absorbent material being partially immersed in water in the first part, said heat conductive plate arranged with its axis substantially vertical in use and also being partially immersed in water in the first part to provide a lower seal for said tortuous path, said conductive plate having a top surface substantially in sealing engagement with said first part so that substantially all the air passing in either of said first or second air passage defining means in the inlet passage can only leave via the other air passage defining means and after passing through said tortuous path during which it gains an increased heat and water vapor content.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second part is a cover, with the cover having sufficient volume as to provide the air space above the first part, the construction and arrangement being such that over filling of the first part is not readily possible.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat conducting plate is a scroll having a base adapted to rest on the floor of said first part, so that heat may be conducted from the floor or said first part to said scroll.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said scroll is faced on at least one surface with blotting paper which constitutes the water absorbent material.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a heating module, said heating means being spring mounted on said heating module, and the floor of said first part being pressed against the spring mounted heating means to provide good contact between the heating means and the floor of the first part.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said releasable clamping means includes a ring having a flange adapted to press against lugs on said first part, and said ring having further lugs adapted to engage lugs for said heating module, with rotation of the ring engaging the lugs to clamp the first part to the heating module.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second part is held to said first part by a ring having a flange adapted to engage lugs on the second part, and said ring having flanges adapted to engage flanges for said first part, with rotation of said ring causing engagement of said lugs to hold the second part to the first part.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second part is sealed to said first part by an O-ring between adjacent walls of the first and second parts.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a tube attached to said first air defining means to carry gases and vapor from said air outlet through an auxiliary apparatus into the body of a patient and said tube carrying at least one insulating electrical energizable heating wire arranged longitudinally thereof to further heat the substantially saturated air from the outlet temperature.