Humidifier separator

• US 4,243,396 A
• Filed: 04/16/1979
• Issued: 01/06/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco International Us (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Cronenberg, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lutter, Frank W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Clements, Gregory N.
• Application Number:
  US06/030,127
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 261/79 A, 261/78 A, 261/DIG. 65, 55/238, 55/257 C, 239/338, 128/193, 128/194
• US Class Current: 96/311
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers

Abstract

A separator adapted for use as part of a fluid dispenser system for supplying inhalable fluids and including a liquid source, a gas source, nozzle means, and supporting structure positioned so that gas from the gas source is directed by the nozzle means to aspirate liquid from the liquid source and cooperate therewith to form a desired mixture of liquid and gas. The separator includes an inner member having a radial surface extending therefrom. An outer casing surrounds a portion of the inner member and the radial surface extends into engagement with the outer casing and forms a tortuous passageway between the inner member and the outer casing. The separator is adapted to be positioned within the fluid dispenser system so that the mixture of liquid and gas passes along the tortuous passageway in the separator in contact with the radial surface whereupon the larger drops of liquid are removed from the mixture leaving a remaining mixture of desired consistency which passes from the separator and out of the dispenser for use.

Claims

1. A hand size separator for a medical fluid dispenser system for supplying inhalable fluids, the system including a liquid source, a gas source and supporting structure, the separator comprising:

means for connection to a source of gas;

means for connection to a source of liquid;

a hollow inner member having a helical radial surface extending outwardly therefrom;

an outer casing surrounding a portion of the inner member and the helical radial surface extending into engagement with the inner surface of the outer casing so as to form a tortuous passageway therebetween communicating with an opening to the exterior of the separator;

a nozzle mounted within the hollow interior of the inner member and positioned to be in communication with the means for connection to a source of gas and means for connection to a source of liquid so that when the separator is connected to a source of gas and a source of liquid gas will be directed by the nozzle to aspirate liquid and cooperate therewith to form a desired mixture of liquid and gas;

surfaces on the inner member and the outer member forming a passageway between the hollow interior of the inner member and the exterior thereof so that the mixture of gas and liquid produced within the inner member is directed into engagement with the helical radial surface between the inner and outer members and the mixture passes along the tortuous passageway in the separator in contact with the radial surface whereupon the larger droplets of liquid are removed from the mixture for drainage through the opening to the exterior of the separator leaving a remaining mixture of desired consistency to be supplied to a patient;

the separator being mounted in a liquid container to form a nebulizer or humidifier for introducing therapeutic fluids to a patient;

the liquid container having an inlet section and an outlet section;

the inlet section having means thereon for removable connection to a source of gas and the liquid container having a reservoir of liquid therein forming a source of liquid;

the nozzle of the separator positioned in the liquid container in communication with the liquid therein and positioned with respect to the inlet section so that gas entering the container is directed to the nozzle through the means on the separator for connection to a source of gas thereby permitting the nozzle to aspirate liquid from the container and cooperate in formation of a mixture of liquid and gas;

the separator being positioned in the liquid container in a position so that the mixture of desired consistency communicates with the outlet section of the container for passage therethrough for transmittal to the patient;

the liquid container including a hollow base for housing the liquid with an open top end and a removable cap coupled with the open top end of the base, the separator being removably mounted in the cap, the inlet section being located in the cap; and

the separator being positioned in the container so that the separated drops of liquid exiting from the tortuous path will fall by gravity through the opening to the exterior of the separator and drain into the reservoir of the liquid container for reuse.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outer casing is tubular to form an annular side wall and has a base wall at one end of the side wall and is open at the end opposite to the base wall, the helical radial surface terminating at the open end of the outer casing which forms the opening to the exterior of the separator which is in communication with the end of the tortuous passageway between the inner member and the outer casing.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein the inner member positioned in the outer casing is provided with an open upper end adjacent the base wall of the casing and a lower end wall, an aperture in the base wall of the casing for introduction of gas from a gas source when connected with the separator for mixing with liquid aspirated by the nozzle when the separator is interconnected with a source of liquid, the liquid being water and the gas being at least one of oxygen and air, and the separator being formed of disposable plastic material.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein a plurality of spaced lugs extend upwardly from the upper end of the inner member into engagement with the casing, the spaces between the lugs forming apertures to provide a passageway from the interior of the inner member to the exterior thereof into communication with the helical radial surface, a plurality of spaced radial tabs extending from the outer surface of the inner member intermediate the ends thereof, an annular recess on the inner surface of the casing in position for alignment with the radial tabs on the outer surface of the inner member, and the tabs and casing having sufficient resilience therebetween so that the tabs can snap into position in the annular recess thereby coupling the inner member and outer casing together.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein the nozzle includes a first nozzle means thereon for connection to a source of gas, the first nozzle means being mounted in the hollow interior of the inner member and positioned to direct gas introduced under pressure therethrough in a downward direction, the nozzle including a second nozzle means positioned perpendicular to the first nozzle means in the hollow interior of the inner member and adjacent to the first nozzle means for the eduction of a spray of liquid therefrom, a siphon tube in fluid communication with the second nozzle means and extending downwardly and outwardly of the inner member with means thereon to bring the siphon tube into fluid communication with a liquid source, and a baffle member adjacently below said first and second nozzle means onto which the spray of the mixture of liquid in gases to be directed to nebulize the same prior to exit of the mixture from the hollow interior of the inner member into communication with the radial surface.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the helical surface is continuous about the outer surface of the inner member.