U.S. patent number 3,717,147 [Application Number 05/128,017] was granted by the patent office on 1973-02-20 for resuscitator.
Invention is credited to Stephen Donald Flynn.
United States Patent |
3,717,147 |
Flynn |
February 20, 1973 |
RESUSCITATOR
Abstract
A resuscitation apparatus for use with a face mask or the like
and a supply of oxygen having a body portion with an air inlet open
to atmosphere and an outlet opening for connection to the mask, a
mixing chamber positioned within the body portion connected with
the outlet opening of the body portion, at least one air delivery
port connecting with the mixing chamber, at least one oxygen inlet
port in the mixing chamber arranged and oriented adjacent to the
air delivery port to procure induction of air into the chamber by
venturi action responsive to the flow of oxygen through the oxygen
inlet passage, conduit means connected with the oxygen inlet port
and connected to a source of oxygen, and manually operated valve
means in the oxygen inlet passage for controlling the flow of
oxygen from the conduit means to the oxygen inlet port in the
chamber. In this way, the mask is always directly open to
atmosphere through the air inlet port regardless of oxygen
delivery. Delivery of oxygen inducts additional air which is mixed
and supplied to the mask under slight pressure. Excess pressure
escapes to atmosphere through the air inlet port.
Inventors: |
Flynn; Stephen Donald
(Caledonia, Ontario, CA) |
Family
ID: |
22433185 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/128,017 |
Filed: |
March 25, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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839326 |
Jul 17, 1969 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/204.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
16/127 (20140204); A61M 16/00 (20130101); A61M
1/804 (20210501) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
16/00 (20060101); A61M 16/10 (20060101); A61M
16/12 (20060101); A61M 1/00 (20060101); A62b
007/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/140,142.3,193,194,188,145.8,145.5,145.6,145.7,146,146.3
;137/604 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gaudet; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Dunne; G. F.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.
No. 839,326, filed July 17, 1969, now abandoned.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A resuscitation apparatus for use with a face mask or the like
and a supply of compressed oxygen and comprising:
a body portion;
air inlet opening means in said body portion open to
atmosphere;
a mixing chamber located within said body portion having an outlet
opening, adapted to be connected to a face mask or the like;
air inlet passage means in said mixing chamber communicating
between the interior thereof and atmosphere through said air inlet
opening means in said body portion for inflow and outflow of
atmospheric air;
at least one oxygen inlet passage in said mixing chamber;
said oxygen inlet passage including a nozzle arranged and oriented
adjacent to said air inlet passage means to procure induction of
air into said chamber by venturi action responsive to the flow of
oxygen through said oxygen inlet passage;
conduit means connected with said oxygen inlet passage through said
body portion and connectible with a source of compressed
oxygen;
manually operable valve means in connection with said oxygen inlet
passage and said nozzle for controlling the flow of oxygen from
said conduit means to said nozzle;
said mixing chamber having cylindrical side walls extending upwards
from said outlet opening of said body portion and a top wall
joining said side walls at one end; said oxygen inlet passage
having a central axis and adapted to pass through said top wall;
and said air inlet passage adapted to pass through said side walls
being in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of said oxygen
inlet passage.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chamber
comprises frusto-conical side walls extending upwards and inwards
from said outlet opening and a top wall joining said side walls at
one end; said oxygen inlet passage having a central axis and
adapted to pass through said top wall; and said air inlet passage
adapted to pass through said side walls being in a plane
perpendicular to the central axis of said oxygen inlet passage.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including spring means
associated with said valve means and adapted to hold said valve
means in a closed position.
4. An apparatus claimed in claim 1, including a shaft means
connected to said valve means having a free end extending out of
the wall of said body portion; manually engageable means on the
free end of said shaft means and adapted to be operable by the
fingers of the operator for manually actuating said valve
means.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a control handle
associated with said valve means, said body portion and control
handle being so dimensioned as to be grasped as a unit in the palm
of the hand of an operator.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including an oxygen
container having a supply of compressed oxygen; a flowmeter
associated with said container for measuring and reducing the
pressure of the oxygen from said container; control means on said
flowmeter for adjusting the pressure of the oxygen emerging from
said container; and tubular means connected between the outlet end
of said flowmeter and said conduit means.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including means for coupling
said conduit means to the supply of oxygen with an adjustable
pressure control means associated therewith, whereby the pressure
of the oxygen entering said oxygen inlet passage is
predetermined.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including tubular opening means
extending transversely of said body portion, said conduit means
being located in one end of said tubular opening means, said valve
means being connected therewith as aforesaid, and including valve
operating means extending from the other end of said tubular
opening means for manual operation thereof.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including additional air
passageway means formed in said body parallel to the central axis
thereof and communicating at one end with said air inlet passage
means, and at the other end thereof to atmosphere at one end of
said body whereby to avoid blockage of said air passage means by
the hand of an operator.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including oxygen bypass means
connecting between said conduit means and said mixing chamber for
direct delivery of oxygen thereto in bypass relation to said inlet
passage means and nozzle, and flow regulator means for regulating
flow through said bypass means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A given amount by the weight of oxygen per unit of time is required
by each person when breathing if he is to survive. If a person is
unconscious, it is necessary to add oxygen to the inhaled air to
give him more than the required weight of oxygen within a given
time. The use of known resuscitation apparatus requires the
assistance of a skilled operator as an unconscious person must be
forced to inhale the oxygen air mixture rhythmically as if the
patient were breathing by himself until the patient regains
consciousness and his own voluntary effort begins.
Various embodiments of apparatus for resuscitation are known for
use in cases of emergencies, for example, for emergency cases in
hospitals, at accidents, or fires by members of rescue squads, fire
departments, police departments or the like. Such apparatus for
resuscitation usually have a cylindrical oxygen container of
considerable size and volume associated with it and comprise a
regulating mechanism and a means for obtaining a mixture of oxygen
and atmospheric air for the patient. Such known apparatus have
relatively complicated construction and can therefore only be
operated by trained personnel. A conventional oxygen cylinder has
an operating pressure of up to 150 atmospheres. Oxygen at this
pressure cannot be used for resuscitation so a flowmeter or
pressure reducing device known in the art is attached to the
container to provide gas at, or about, atmospheric pressure at its
outlet. A needle valve on the flowmeter can be simply manipulated
by any unskilled person to give an outlet of oxygen at any desired
pressure from the flowmeter. With most of the known resuscitators
such a flowmeter is not used and the operator has difficulty in
controlling the pressure introduced into the lungs of the patient
and this uncontrollable pressure often causes damage to the lung
tissues of the patient.
Two resuscitators presently available on the market are a demand
valve resuscitator, and a manual bag with a directional valve. The
demand valve resuscitator is connected by an air line to an
anatomical mask which is placed on the patient's mouth and nose to
administer oxygen to the patient. The demand valve resuscitator has
complex equipment therein to provide the oxygen automatically in
predetermined quantities to the patient at a predetermined positive
pressure. The resuscitator is automatically turned on when there is
a negative pressure in the patient's lungs. This demand valve
resuscitator cannot be used with a victim of cardiac arrest because
it is desirable to apply cardiac massage to the victim to keep his
heart working until it begins beating again by itself. The pressure
applied in external massage causes a negative pressure in the lungs
and turns the resuscitator on, forcing more air into the lungs
which could injure the patient. The demand valve resuscitator must
be operated by skilled personnel to prevent injury to the patient.
Also this equipment is complex and there is a great possibility of
breakdown in the operational parts when in use.
The manual bag resuscitator has a directional valve connected to a
mask which is placed on the nose and mouth of the patient. An
oxygen line is connected to the inlet end of the bag and the bag is
manually compressed by an operator to administer oxygen into the
lungs of the patient. A good seal must be maintained between the
mask and the face of the patient to prevent the air mixture from
escaping out the side of the mask. The pressure at which the oxygen
is forced into the lungs of the patient cannot be controlled by the
operator and the continuous manual compression of the bag is
exhausting to the operator. The directional valve merely permits
the oxygen to leave the outlet opening of the bag and prevents the
exhaled air from returning to the bag. The volume and pressure of
the oxygen entering the lungs of the patient is uncontrollable with
the manual bag and often causes damage to the lung tissues in the
patient. Also, if any regurgitated matter enters the bag, the
operator must stop and change it as there is no method of cleaning
the bag. If a new bag is not available, then mouth to mouth
resuscitation must be applied.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus according to this invention overcomes the above
disadvantages and provides an apparatus for resuscitation connected
directly to a face mask. The apparatus incorporates a mixing
chamber in communication with atmospheric air, and oxygen under
pressure flowing into the chamber draws air into the chamber by a
venturi principle and thus increases the concentration of oxygen in
the mixture of oxygen and air that flows into the lungs of the
patient without dangerously increasing the pressure. The pressure
of the oxygen is controlled by a valve thereby permitting an
unskilled operator to use the apparatus on a patient, and
permitting use of an intermittent positive pressure technique on
the patient by means of which the oxygen enriched air is
rhythmically introduced into the lungs of the patient at a desired
rate of breathing until voluntary effort begins on the part of the
patient himself. Preferably, in order to regulate the volume and
pressure of enriched air in the lungs of the patient, the oxygen is
supplied through a flowmeter of known design, and for an adult, the
flowmeter is usually set at 30 centimeters of water pressure and
then the operator can adjust this rate in either direction if the
lungs of the patient are not being completely filled or are being
filled too much. The valve in the apparatus has a fingertip control
at the oxygen inlet positioned in such a manner that the operator
is able to hold the apparatus and the mask securely on the
patient's face while operating the control valve. A proper seal can
always be maintained between the mask and the face of the patient
and proper ventilation of the patient is obtained. Since the mixing
chamber is always open to atmosphere, dangerous pressure build-ups
are prevented, notwithstanding that the lungs of the patient may
already be filled.
It is an object of this invention to provide a resuscitator
apparatus for mixing two gases under different pressures in which
the supply of the gas under greater pressure is directly controlled
by an operator and the supply of the other gas is controlled by the
flow of the gas under greater pressure.
It is another object of this invention to provide a resuscitator
apparatus in which the flow of oxygen is directly controlled by an
operator and the supply of air is controlled by the flow of
oxygen.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a
resuscitator apparatus of simple construction, light in weight, and
readily portable being suitable for use in the field or the
hospital.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a
resuscitator apparatus which can easily be cleaned and sanitized
after being used.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a
resuscitator apparatus which can be used on a patient receiving
external cardiac message.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a
resuscitator apparatus which can be used for mouth to mouth
resuscitation on a patient with a communicable disease.
Other advantages and fuller understanding of the invention may be
had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for resuscitation
according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial longitudinal cross-section view of
the apparatus for resuscitation shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the
invention being incorporated therein;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, wherein a fragmentary
cross-section view of the whole apparatus is shown;
FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal cross-section view of an
alternative embodiment of a valve means for the resuscitation
apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal cross-section view of another
alternative embodiment of the resuscitation apparatus;
FIG. 6 is a section view along the line 6--6 of the FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal cross-section view of a mouthpiece
insertion member to be used in conjunction with the mouthpiece of
the resuscitation apparatus; and
FIG. 8 is a sectional side elevational view of a further embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIG. 1, a cylinder containing oxygen 10, has an outlet
valve 11 with a flowmeter 12 connected thereon. The flowmeter 12
has a main body 13 with an inlet opening 14 and outlet opening 15
and a hollow chamber 16 diametrically opposite from the outlet
opening 15. The chamber 16 has a calibrated flow scale thereon and
a ball 17 therein. A needle valve 18 controls the pressure at the
flowmeter inlet opening 14 from the cylinder 10. When the needle
valve 18 is opened, oxygen flows into the flowmeter 12 and a back
pressure of oxygen is formed in the chamber 16 which moves the ball
17 up and down in the chamber 16 to indicate the pressure at the
outlet opening 15. The outlet opening 15 has a nipple construction
and an end 19 of a plastic hose 20 or the like which preferably can
withstand 50 pounds per square inch pressure therein, is connected
thereon. The other end 21 of the hose 20 is connected to a nipple
22 at the oxygen inlet valve of a resuscitation apparatus 23 that
is attached to an anatomical mask 24 by a universal connecting
means 25. The mask 24 includes a frusto-conical portion 26 provided
with a face engaging portion 27 preferably of a resilient material
and the continuous edge of which is adapted to engage the face of a
patient 28 and to encircle his nose and mouth.
The apparatus 23 comprises a tubular body portion 29 having an
upper air inlet opening 30 and a lower outlet opening 31. A hollow
mixing chamber 32 preferably cylindrical in shape is positioned
within the body portion 29 and has its lower edge 33 aligned with
the outlet opening 31 of the body portion 29. Preferably the
chamber 32 is screwed into the body portion 29 as shown in FIG. 3.
The lower edge 33 of the chamber 32 is connected to the universal
connecting means 25 at the outlet opening 31 of the body portion
29. Preferably the chamber 32 has side walls 34 spaced away from
the walls of the body portion 29 and connected at the upper end by
a top member 35 at the intermediate portion of the body portion 29.
The chamber 32 could also be frusto-conical in shape with the side
walls 34 extending upwards and inwards from the lower edge 33 to
the top member 35. A restricted orifice 36 through the top member
35 of the chamber 32 is connected to the oxygen inlet nipple 22 by
a T-shaped hollow member 37 with a valve means to be described
hereinafter therein. Oxygen is introduced into the chamber 32
through the orifice 36.
A plurality of laterally extending air inlet openings 38 pass
through the walls 34 adjacent the top member 35. Preferably the
openings 38 are four in number and positioned 90.degree. apart all
in the same plane. However, it is possible to have only one opening
38 if desired. The upper edge of each opening 38 is preferably in
the same plane as the outlet end of the orifice 36 to provide a
venturi passageway for reasons which will be described later. The
walls 34 are positioned away from the body portion 29 to permit
atmospheric air to enter the chamber 32. A perforated member 39 is
secured to a ridge 39a on the inside wall of the body portion 29
and prevents any foreign matter from falling into the tubular body
portion 29 and clogging up the holes 38.
The T-shaped member 37 comprises a hollow stem portion 40 connected
to the top member 35 of the chamber 32 at one end and releasably
secured to a hollow bar portion 41 by threaded means at the other
end. The bar portion 41 has a length greater than the diameter of
the body portion 29 and is preferably positioned perpendicular to
the stem portion 40. The hollow stem portion 40 has inner walls 42
which diverge inwardly and downwardly towards the orifice 36 to
provide a restricted orifice 36 as required. The bar portion 41 has
the oxygen inlet nipple 22 with the valve means on one end with an
opening 43 therethrough and an opening 41a in the other end with a
smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the bar portion
41.
A pin 44 is passed through the opening 41a and positioned within
the bar portion 41 and has a length as long as the length of the
hollow bar portion 41. The pin 44 has an engaging surface 45 at the
end adjacent the nipple 22 which is shaped to make sealing
engagement with a rubber O-ring 46 abutting against a ridge 47 in
the hollow bar portion 41. This structure forms the valve means at
the oxygen inlet nipple 22. The ridge 47 leaves an opening 48
through which the oxygen passes into the bar portion 41 when the
engaging surface 45 is away from the O-ring 46. Other valve means
of known designs can be used here also. The engaging surface 45 of
the pin 44 is urged into sealing engagement with the rubber O-ring
46 by means of a spring means 49 which is made of a non-corrosive
material and one end rests against an O-ring 50 positioned at one
end of the hollow bar portion 41 and the other end rests against an
axially positioned solid means 51 secured to the pin 44 which
compresses the spring 49 when the pin is drawn in the direction
shown by an arrow 52, in FIG. 2. An end 53 of the pin 44 opposite
to the engaging surface 45 extends out of the opening 41a in one
end of the bar portion 41 and has a transverse hole 54 through
which is passed an end 55 of a fingertip lever 56.
The lever 56 has its intermediate portion 57 attached to a pin 58
which is connected to the tubular body portion 29 by securing means
extending therefrom. A free end 59 of the lever 56 extends
downwards from the intermediate portion 57 towards the outlet
opening 33 and is positioned away from the outer wall of the
tubular body portion 29 to permit the end 59 to be moved towards
the body portion 29. When the free end 59 is moved towards the body
portion 29 to a position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 by a force
applied in a direction shown by an arrow 60 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
pin 44 is drawn in the direction shown by the arrow 52 and oxygen
is permitted to enter into the T-shaped member 37 and the spring 49
is compressed as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2. When the force on
the free end 59 of the lever 56 is relaxed, the spring forces the
engaging surface 45 of the pin 44 to make a sealing engagement with
the rubber O-ring 46 again and stop the flow of oxygen into the
T-shaped member 37.
An arrow 61 indicates the flow of atmospheric air into
resuscitation apparatus 23.
It should be noted that the operator uses the intermittent positive
pressure method until voluntary effort of the patient begins
itself. Physical signs on the patient indicate whether the patient
is voluntarily breathing or not to the operator. These are,
watching the chest rise as the lungs are filled up, the color of
the skin, and once the lungs are filled, the operator will feel the
pressure backing up out the air inlet opening 30 on the apparatus
23. When the lungs are filled with air, the lungs are stretched to
almost their maximum elasticity and this is known as the compliance
of the lungs. Once the compliance of the lungs is exceeded, there
is a possibility of rupture of the lungs and also of damaging other
organs in the vicinity of the lungs. By the practice of the present
invention, however, since the mixing chamber is always open to
atmosphere, dangerous pressure build-ups are prevented,
notwithstanding that the lungs of the patient may already be
filled.
In operation, when a resuscitator is to be used on the patient, he
is usually placed in the supine position, i.e., laying on his back,
and the anatomical mask 24 is placed on the face over the nose and
mouth and a seal is attained between the surface of the mask 27 and
the skin of the patient 28. The valve 11 of the cylinder is turned
on to permit oxygen to flow into the inlet opening 14 of the
flowmeter 12. The needle valve 18 is turned on to permit oxygen to
flow out of the outlet opening 15 into the hose 20 and into the
oxygen inlet nipple 22 of the resuscitation apparatus 23. The
oxygen flowing into the oxygen inlet nipple 22 will have a maximum
pressure set by the needle valve 18 of the flowmeter 12.
Inside the apparatus 23, as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 2 and 3,
the engaging surface 45 of the pin 44 is resiliently held against
the O-ring 46 and acts as a valve to prevent any oxygen from
entering the opening 48 until the operator moves the free end 59 of
the control lever 56 in a direction shown by the arrow 60 to the
position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 where the engaging surface
45 is drawn away from the O-ring 46. Oxygen is then permitted to
flow through the opening 48 and through the T-shaped member 37 to
the restricted orifice 36 in the top member 35 of the chamber
32.
Atmospheric air is drawn into the chamber 32 through the openings
38 as the oxygen enters the chamber 32 through the orifice 36 under
pressure. The atmospheric air at the openings 38 is at a
sub-ambient pressure in relation to the pressure of the oxygen
entering the chamber 32, and by the Venturi principle, the air at
atmospheric pressure is drawn into the chamber 32 through the
openings 38 to be mixed with the oxygen therein. This increases the
concentration of oxygen in the air mixture which flows into the
lungs of the patient. The pressure of the air mixture flowing into
the lungs of the patient will be no greater than the pressure of
the oxygen entering by the orifice 36. Thus when the lungs are
filled, no further oxygen is forced into the lungs until the
patient exhales the air in the lungs and the pressure in the lungs
drops. The excess oxygen being introduced into the chamber 32 and
exhaled air escape through the air openings 38 in the chamber 32 to
the atmosphere.
With the lever 56 in the position shown in dotted lines, the spring
49 is compressed, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, between the
solid member 51 and the O-ring 50 and the oxygen is allowed to flow
through the hollow bar portion 41 and the stem portion 40 to the
orifice 36. The pressure of the oxygen flowing through the orifice
36 is the same as the pressure shown on the flowmeter 12. The
operator keeps his finger on the free end 59 of the lever 56 and
oxygen enters into the chamber 32 through the orifice 36. Once the
finger is released from the lever 56, the spring 49 acts against
the solid member 51 and moves the pin 44 to where the engaging
surface 45 of the pin 44 re-engages the O-ring 46 and terminates
the flow of the oxygen into the T-shaped member 37 and into the
chamber 32.
The pressure of the oxygen enriched air mixture in the chamber 32
will never be more than equal to the pressure of the oxygen
entering by the orifice 36 as once the pressure of the air mixture
is equal to the pressure of the oxygen entering the chamber 32, no
atmospheric air is drawn through the openings 38 into the chamber
32. Also any additional oxygen entering the chamber 32 with the
pressures equal, flows out the openings 38. The oxygen enriched air
mixture in the chamber 32 passes through the face mask 24 and into
the air passageway of the patient and into the lungs of the patient
only after the patient has exhaled.
If the patient is not breathing voluntarily, the intermittent
positive pressure technique is used and the operator depresses the
free end 59 of the lever 56 for approximately 3 to 4 seconds
permitting oxygen to flow into the chamber 32 and the oxygen
enriched air mixture to flow into the lungs. No damage is done to
the tissues of the lung, as the pressure in the lungs, air
passageway, face mask 24 or chamber 32 cannot be greater than the
pressure of the oxygen entering the chamber 32 through the orifice
36. Any additional oxygen entering the chamber 32 escapes through
the openings 38 to the atmosphere through the air inlet opening 30
of the tubular body portion 29.
If the patient is breathing voluntarily, the operator need only
keep the free end 59 of the lever 56 depressed continuously as the
patient will exhale voluntarily when compliance of the lungs is
reached. When the patient is exhaling, the oxygen entering the
chamber 32 escapes out the openings 38, as does the exhaled air.
When the patient inhales, oxygen enriched air mixture is again
formed in the chamber 32 and flows into the lungs of the
patient.
Once the needle valve 18 of the flowmeter 12 is set so that there
is compliance of the lungs of the patient, the operator need only
concern himself with keeping a tight seal between the face of the
patient and the mask 24 and operating the lever 56 to permit oxygen
to flow into the chamber 32 through the orifice 36.
It is also possible to have a resuscitation apparatus 23 with
another embodiment of the valve means which controls the flow of
oxygen into the conduit portion 41 from the nipple side of the
valve seat 47 and uses the pressure of the oxygen in the hose 21 to
close the opening 48. As shown in FIG. 4, a frusto-conical shaped
closure member 63 is placed on the nipple side of the valve seat 47
with its apex fitting into the opening 48. The member 63 is
attached to one end of a pin 64 having a diameter less than the
opening 48 which extends through the conduit portion 41 with a
button 65 attached on the other end of the pin 64. The pressure of
the oxygen entering the opening 43 in the nipple 22 forces the
member 63 against the seat 47 and prevents the oxygen from flowing
into the conduit portion 41.
In operation, when the operator wishes oxygen to be introduced into
the mixing chamber 32, the button 65 is moved towards the adjacent
end of the conduit portion 41 forcing the frusto-conical member 63
at the other end of the pin 64 away from the valve seat 47 to
permit oxygen to flow through the opening 48. Oxygen enters the
mixing chamber 32 as long as the operator holds the button 65 in
this position. When the operator releases the pressure on the
button 65, the pressure of the oxygen in the hose 21 acts on the
member 63 to force the member 63 against the valve seat 47 and
prevent any oxygen from flowing into the conduit portion 41 through
the opening 48.
To permit the operator to apply mouth to mouth resuscitation to a
patient the mouthpiece 62 is placed on the air inlet opening 30 of
the tubular body portion 29. One type of mouthpiece which can be
used is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 with the mouthpiece 62 having a
hollow lower attachment portion 66 which fits on the air inlet
opening 30 of the tubular body portion 29. A hollow upper portion
67 is shaped to fit easily over the mouth of an operator with
spaced apart parallel side walls 68 (only one is shown) joined at
the ends by curved end walls 69 and 70. The side walls 68 have an
upper surface 71 which preferably is concave-shaped.
To permit the resuscitation apparatus 23 to be made from
thermoplastic material or the like, the tubular body portion 29 and
the mixing chamber 32 are integrally moulded together as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6. A handle 72 is moulded separately from the tubular
body portion 29 and then is attached to the tubular body portion
29. The handle 72 has its upper end 73 positioned in an extension
74 secured to the attachment lower portion 66 of the mouthpiece 62
and its other end 75 positioned in an extension 76 with a channel
77 therein secured to the tubular body portion 29 to permit the end
75 of the handle 72 to be moved away from the tubular body portion
29 a predetermined distance for reasons which will be explained
later. In an intermediate portion of the handle 72 is an elongated
opening 78 therethrough having an engaging shoulder 79 formed at
one end of the opening 78.
The tubular body portion 29 of the resuscitation apparatus 23 has
the air inlet passage 30 at one end open to the atmosphere and the
outlet opening 31 at the other end. The mixing chamber 32 is
integrally moulded with the tubular body portion 29 and has an
upper portion 80 which is preferably frusto-conical in shape with a
pair of opposed venturi air inlet passages 38 communicating with
the interior of the tubular body portion 29 to permit atmospheric
air to enter the mixing chamber 32. The side walls 34 of the mixing
chamber 32 diverge upwards and inwards at the upper portion 80 from
the walls of the tubular body portion 29 and are joined by a body
member 81. The body member 81 has a tubular valve chamber 82
therein of a predetermined regular cross-section throughout its
length with a valve receiving opening 83 in the wall of the tubular
body portion 29. At an intermediate position along the length of
the tubular chamber 82 is an outlet port 84 communicating with the
tubular chamber 82 and an inlet passage 85 to the mixing chamber
32. The end opposite the outlet port 84 of the inlet passage 85 is
arranged and oriented in relation to the air inlet passages 38 to
procure induction of air into the mixing chamber 32 by venturi
action responsive to the flow of oxygen through the inlet passage
85.
A valve member 86 having a substantially cylindrical body portion
87 is dimensioned to fit within the interior of the chamber 82 and
has a nipple portion 88 at one end which extends out the valve
receiving opening 83 of the tubular chamber 82 and through the
elongated opening 78 in the handle 72 with the outer surface of the
nipple portion engaging the shoulder 79 of the handle 72. On the
other end of the valve member 86, is a sealing portion 89 which
will be described in more detail hereinafter. A resilient spring
means 90 is positioned within the tubular chamber 82 between the
closed end of the tubular chamber 82 and the free end of the
sealing portion 89 and the spring means 90 is compressed in an
operating position. An oxygen passageway 91 preferably L-shaped,
extends through the valve member 86 with the longer leg being
aligned with the central axis of the valve member 86 and a shorter
leg, preferably being perpendicular to the central axis and
positioned in the sealing portion 89 of the valve member 86 with a
first oxygen discharge port 92 therefrom. The first oxygen
discharge port 82 is not in register with the inlet passage 85 in a
normal position as shown in FIG. 5. On either side of the first
oxygen discharge port 92 are a first and second O-ring 93 and 94
respectively axially positioned on said sealing portion 89 of the
valve member 86 to form a tight seal between the inner walls of the
valve chamber 82 and the sealing portion 89 of the valve member
86.
In operation, the operator connects the hose 21, shown in FIG. 4 on
the nipple portion 88 of the valve member 86 to bring oxygen from a
supply source such as shown in FIG. 1. The oxygen flows through the
oxygen passageway 91 and out the first oxygen discharge port 92. In
the normal position, the first oxygen discharge port 92 is not in
register with the inlet passage 85 and no oxygen flows out between
the first and second O-rings 93 and 94 to the atmosphere. The
sealing portion 89 of the valve member 86 permits the oxygen to
flow into the inlet passage 85 only in the operating position.
The operator grasps the handle 72 and the tubular body portion 29
in the palm of his hand and moves the movable end 75 of the handle
72 towards the tubular body portion 29 to the operating position.
The elongated opening 78 and shoulder 79 of the handle 72 engages
the valve member 86 and moves the valve member 86 in the same
direction compressing the spring means 90 and placing the first
oxygen discharge port 92 in register with the inlet passage 85
permitting the oxygen to flow into the mixing chamber 32. By
venturi action, atmospheric air is drawn through the air inlet
passages 38 to provide an oxygen enriched air mixture in the mixing
chamber 32. When the operator releases the pressure on the handle
72, the compressed spring means 90 acts on the adjacent end of the
valve member 86 to move the oxygen discharge port 92 out of
register with the oxygen inlet passage 85 and back to the normal
position. The handle 72 is also moved away from the tubular body
portion 29 until the movable end 75 hits the end of the channel 77
of the extension 76 on the tubular body portion 29. Preferably, the
nipple portion 88 is also in engagement with the shoulder 79 and
sides of the elongated opening 78 in the normal position.
The resuscitation apparatus 23 can also be used by the operator
with an apparatus for cleaning foreign matter out of the lungs of a
patient. The resuscitation apparatus 23 with the venturi action in
the mixing chamber 32 creates a sub-ambient pressure at the air
inlet opening 30 drawing air into the air inlet opening 30 when the
valve means is operated. This sub-ambient pressure can also be used
to draw foreign matter from the lungs of a patient such as mucus
into a mucus container (not shown) by connecting a first hose 21
between the container and the air inlet opening 30 of the
resuscitation apparatus 23 which creates a sub-ambient pressure in
the container. One end of a second hose (not shown) is inserted in
the lungs of the patient (not shown) and the other end is connected
to the container. When the sub-ambient pressure is created in the
container, a sub-ambient pressure is created at the free end of the
second hose (not shown) in the lungs of the patient which draws the
foreign matter into the hose and up into the mucus bottle.
As shown in FIG. 7, a hollow mouthpiece insert member 95 is used in
association with the mouthpiece 62 to give a tight seal
therebetween to create the sub-ambient pressure in the hose 21
connected to the insert member 95. The insert member 95 has a lower
portion 96 which is inserted into the hollow upper portion 67 of
the mouthpiece 62 and an upper skirt portion 97 which covers the
upper surfaces 71 of the mouthpiece 62. A nipple 98 is secured to
the upper portion 97 to permit the hose 21 to be attached thereto.
An air passageway 99 through the insert member 95 permits the
sub-ambient pressure to be created in the hose 21.
According to a further embodiment of the invention as illustrated
in FIG. 8, the entire apparatus may be substantially reduced in
scale and complexity. In this further embodiment, a body portion
100 may be provided of plastic material or the like having a
central tubular sleeve member 101 fitting in a suitable tubular
opening extending through the body member 100. The tubular sleeve
member 101 constitutes the mixing chamber according to the
invention, and is provided with air inlet ports 102, connected by
means of air inlet conduits 103 to atmosphere. The lower end of
body member 100 is provided with a downwardly extending spigot 104
shaped and adapted to fit within an upstanding collar member 105 of
a face mask 106, the details of which been omitted for the sake of
clarity. Thus, the interior of the face mask 106 is always in
direct communication through the ports 102 and conduits 103 with
atmosphere, thereby preventing any undesirable build-up of pressure
therein.
In order to admit oxygen under pressure into the interior of tube
101, there is provided an oxygen discharge nozzle 107, located at
the upper closed end of the tube 101. The nozzle 107 is formed in
an oxygen delivery housing 108, which is preferably arranged in the
form of a cylindrical metallic member extending transversely from
side to side through the upper portion of the body 100. The oxygen
delivery housing 108 is counter-bored from each end, and at one end
is provided with a male threaded junction pipe 109 exteriorly
threaded, and fitting within corresponding female threads 110
within one counter-bored end of the housing 108. The junction
member 109 is provided with interior drilling or oxygen conduit 111
through which oxygen may be admitted under pressure to the interior
of the housing 108. A filter disc member 112 is mounted within the
same counter-bored end of the housing 108 for filtering the
incoming oxygen. In order to control emission of oxygen from the
nozzle 107, valve means are provided in the form of the relatively
hard rubber ball valve member 113, seating on a valve seat 114
machined on the interior of the housing 108. Ball valve 113 is held
in position by means of a spring 115, which is itself retained in
position by means of a sleeve member 116 fitting snugly within the
interior of housing 108, and held in position by means of the
filter disc 112 and the threaded junction member 109. The sleeve
member 116 is provided with a conduit 117 for admission of oxygen
from the conduit 111.
In its simplest concept, oxygen at a reduced pressure, i.e., coming
from a standard form of flowmeter attached in the oxygen supply
line (not shown) may be delivered directly to the junction member
109, and enter the conduit 111. Means for delivery of such oxygen
are not specifically shown, but are, in any event, matters which
are well known to persons skilled in the art. If necessary, they
could be essentially the same as the oxygen delivery means shown in
connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1.
However, in this preferred embodiment of the invention it is
considered desirable to provide an oxygen by-pass means whereby
oxygen can be selectively delivered either to the conduit 111, and
hence to the ball valve 113, or alternatively, the oxygen can
by-pass the conduit 111 and ball valve 113 altogether and flow
continuously into the lower end of the tubular member 101. Such an
oxygen by-pass means comprises the by-pass control valve shown by
the general reference arrow 120. By-pass control valve 120 will be
seen to comprise an outer body 121, having a interior threaded
counter-bore 122 at one end, adapted to engage corresponding
exterior threads on the exterior of the oxygen delivery housing
member 108. Preferably, a good seal is maintained, by means of the
rubber O-ring 123. Body member 121 is preferably provided with an
interior oxygen conduit 124 extending completely transversely of
the body 121, and at its free end the conduit 124 is provided with
interior tapered threads 125 for connection with any standard form
of oxygen delivery system omitted here for the sake of clarity. In
order to effectively by-pass the flow of oxygen from the conduit
124, a by-pass conduit sleeve member 126 extends vertically
downwardly within body 121 normal to the axis of conduit 124, and a
second by-pass conduit 127 extends tranversely from the lower end
of body 121. Obviously, the construction of body 121 may vary, but
in this case, interior drillings 128 are arranged within body 121
to communicate between conduits 126 and 127, and a plug 129 is
inserted into the lower end of drilling 128 to seal it against
escape of oxygen therefrom. The free end of conduit 127 passes
through body portion 100 and tubular member 101 and is available to
admit oxygen continuously into the interior of tubular member 101,
below the air entry ports 102. In order to control flow of oxygen
into and out of conduit 126 a needle valve member 130 is provided
on a stem 131, which in turn is adapted to be drawn upwardly and
downwardly by threaded means 132 on the boss member 133.
Preferably, the boss member 133 is provided with an exterior
generally cylindrical knurled hand wheel 134, the two members being
fastened together by means of the screw 135. An indicator disc 136
is mounted on the upper surface of hand wheel 134, having any
suitable visual calibrations marked thereon so as to indicate
various positions of the needle valve 130, corresponding to
different flow rates of oxygen.
A stop member 137 running in an oversized groove 138, limits upward
and downward movement of the hand wheel 134.
In order to control the operation of the ball valve 113 so as to
permit an operator to supply intermittent deliveries of oxygen
through the nozzle 107, an operating plunger 140 is provided in the
outer end of the housing member 108, having a contact rod 141
adapted to contact the ball valve 113 and push it off the seat 114
against the pressure of spring 115, thereby admitting oxygen to the
nozzle 107. Operation of the plunger 140 is effected by manual
pressure from the hand of an operator applied to the outer end of
the button 142, pressing against the return spring 143, and also
pressing against the pressure of the spring 115.
In certain cases, it may be desirable to accurately control and
limit the inward extent of movement of the button 142. In
particular, it is sometimes desirable, especially when using such a
device for the resuscitation of children, that any possibility of
applying an excess oxygen pressure to the lungs of the child be
avoided. For this purpose, a knurled ring 144 is rotatably mounted
on the outer end of the housing 108, being rotatable about the
button 142. The outwardly directed surface 145 of the ring 144 is
arranged at an angle so as to provide a camming action, and a pin
follower member 146 is mounted in a suitable place in the button
142, so that the button will abut against the surface 145 of the
ring 144. Obviously, rotation of the ring 144 will cause the pin
146 to be stopped at different positions, thereby limiting the
inward extent of travel of the button 142.
In some cases, the operator, especially if he or she is
inexperienced, may accidentally cover up one or other of the air
passageways 103, thereby preventing the admission of air into the
interior of the tubular member 101. In order to prevent any
undesirable result, additional air passageways indicated at 147 are
provided vertically downwardly through the sides of the body 100,
thereby permitting air to pass vertically downwardly therethrough
and into the air passageways 103.
In operation, assuming a resuscitation effect is required, then
after the device has been connected to a suitable of high pressure
oxygen, the operator simply places the mask 106 over the mouth of
the patient and presses the button 142. Oxygen then passes around
ball 113 through nozzle 107 under pressure and downwardly through
the tubular member 101. As it passes downwardly, it will induct air
through the air passageways 103 and the openings 102, by venturi
action and will become mixed therewith and enter the mask 106. If
the patient is able to breathe such flow will continue. If the
patient is not actually breathing on his own, then there will be a
slight build-up of pressure inside the mask 106, applying a slight
resuscitation action to the lungs of the patient, after which any
excess pressure will, of course, flow directly out of the air
openings 103. As soon as the operator notices the patient's lungs
have become inflated, he will release the button 142, thereby
releasing the pressure on the patient's lungs, and the lungs will
naturally tend to recover their normal size and exhale. Continued
intermittent pressure on the button 142 will continue to produce
intermittent resuscitation action as long as is desired.
As soon as the patient is breathing on his own, then the
intermittent resuscitation action can be discontinued, and
continual small quantities of oxygen can be supplied simply by
opening the by-pass valve 130 so that there is a continual flow of
oxygen through the conduit 127 into the tubular member 101 and into
the mask 106.
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any
features described but comprehends all such variations as come
within the spirit and scope of the claims.
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