Oxygen compressive chamber

Abstract

An oxygen compressive chamber intended for treating patients by the method of oxygen therapy under hyperbaric conditions. The chamber comprises an outer portion, which is made collapsible, and an inner portion, made as a detachable stretcher to bring the patient thereon into the chamber, and then to hand-carry the chamber together with the patient placed therein.

Description

The present invention relates to medical equipment used for treating patients by the method of oxygen therapy under the conditions of hyperbaric pressure.

In recent years this method has acquired a certain practical importance.

The above method is applied particularly for treating patients afflicted with stenocardia and infarction of the myocardium, intoxication, general and tissue hypoxia, shock, cranio-cerebral trauma, gas gangrene, tetanus, reticular embolism, occlusion of mesenteric vessels, necrosis of skin flaps, etc. (cf., e.g., "Clinical Application of Hyperbaric Oxygen", Proceedings of the International Congress, Amsterdam, September 1963, Edited by I. Boerema, W. H. Brummelkamp and N. G. Meigne, and also "Hyperbarooxygenotherapia" (in Russian), edited by professor G. L. Ratner, Proceedings of Kuibyshev medical institute named after D. I. Ulyanov, 1970).

The above method of treatment is carried into effect by the application of various oxygen compressive chambers. A pure oxygen medium is established in these chambers at a pressure close to 3 kg/cm.sup.2 with maintaining certain humidity and temperature levels, and extracting deleterious gas admixtures exhaled by the patient.

The treatment is effected in courses under clinical conditions. The existing chambers incorporate air conditioning and regeneration systems, equipment for medical control over a patient, emergency protection systems including those of urgent pressure release, fire preventing systems, interphone systems, etc. (cf., e.g., G.F.R. Pat. No. 948,736, Cl.Cl. k 13/03 of July 8, 1949, USSR Author's certificate No. 228,879, Cl. 30k, 13/03, of October 17, 1968, U.S. Pat. No. 3587574, Cl. 128-204 of June 28, 1971).

One of the most convenient and perfect versions of oxygen chambers in question is a chamber available from the British firm "Vickers Limited" (medical Group, Clinical Hyperbaric System).

However, all the above-mentioned chambers known in the art are superfluously sophisticated, heavy in weight, large in size and used only in clinics for stationary treatment of patients.

At the same time, the efficiency of treating patients by hyperbaric oxygen depends to a great extent on what stage of the disease the treatment has been commenced; it may be often times required to effect hyberbaric oxygen treatment immediately at patient's home, at a place of accident, or even during carrying the patient in an ambulance vehicle. Therefore, the medical institutions are of the necessity confronted with a problem of furnishing the first-aid service with oxygen compressive chambers which could be collapsed into transportation position so as not to occupy much space in the ambulance saloon in those cases when the chamber is not actually employed for the purpose. The chamber should ensure expeditious converting into operating position, permit the patient to be conveniently placed in it, be easily hand-carried by stretcher-bearers to a place of accident or to a patient's bed.

An oxygen chamber has been developed in Britain in 1960 (actual inventors - Emery, Lucas, Williams) and installed in an ambulance vehicle which was primarily employed for treating patients intoxicated by carbonic oxide or afflicted with infarction of the myocardium, and the like. This chamber is shaped as a cylinder mounted horizontally on a bogie. The chamber incorporates an open-type oxygen system, wherein oxygen is delivered into the chamber in a continuous stream, while pressure is regulated through a release valve.

However, in principle, the design of this chamber is but little differing from stationary-type chambers, being so much bulky and weighty. Among collapsible comressive chambers known in the art, a stress can be made on a stationary chamber constructed according to the GFR Pat. No. 847,474, Cl. 30k, 31/03 of Aug. 25, 1952. According to this patent the chamber is made as a series of cylindrical rings which are telescopically retracted into each other when the chamber is in inoperative position. However, this chamber is superfluously heavy and bulky. Seals of telescopic compartments of the chamber make it difficult to expeditiously convert the chamber into operating state and are not able to ensure convenient putting of the patient in grave or unconscious condition.

Also known in the art is an oxygen compressive chamber constructed according to the USSR Author's certificate No. 199,342, Cl. 30k, 13/03, of July 13, 1967. This chamber is made as an elastic bag incorporating a stepped entrance extension and has a gas pressure reducer, a safety valve and a pressure gauge. This chamber is intended for treating miners at a place of accident, intoxicated by mine gas during breakdowns in mines. However, the chamber according to this construction is not able to ensure the required hyperbaric oxygen pressure and is also inconvenient in operation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a light-weight portable compressive chamber for treating patients by the method of oxygen therapy under hyperbaric conditions.

This and other objects are achieved by the provision of an oxygen compressive chamber for rendering emergency medical aid to the patient placed inside said chamber which incorporates a ventilation system and a system of oxygen delivery to said chamber, said chamber according to the present invention comprising an outer portion which is made collapsible, and an inner portion representing a detachable stretcher for bringing thereon a patient into said chamber and carrying said chamber together with said patient.

At least one embodiment of the present invention may incorporate a collapsible portion of the chamber, said portion having two rigid end walls provided with sockets for mounting a stretcher therein, and a side surface made of an elastic material, whereas to at least one of said end walls the side surface is secured by means of a releasable airtightening connection.

It is expedient that the split airtightening connection is made up of two profiled flanges one of which is disposed on the end wall of the chamber, while the other is secured to the side surface of the chamber, whereas the first flange incorporates an inflatable rubber bead and a metal L-shaped split ring with a two-link lock installed in the joint of the split, while the second flange is fitted with an airtightening seat and a shoulder, through which the latter cooperates with the L-shaped split ring.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a stretcher is fitted with rods made of pipes when one of the pipes is connected to a circulation injector to ensure oxygen delivery and ventilation of the chamber, while the other is connected to an injector for purging the chamber with oxygen.

The present invention provides for a solution of the technical problem set forth, namely, effecting hyperbaric oxygen treatment directly at a place of accident, during hand-carrying and transportation of the patient.

The chamber is attended by a single physician and hand-carried by two stretcher-bearers. For transportation, the empty chamber can be collapsed to reduce its overall length almost thrice. The chamber is provided with a control desk, an interphone device, and a device for the remote introduction of medicinals to the patient, which substantially raises the efficiency of treatment.

The stock of oxygen in the chamber makes the latter self-contained in operation; with oxygen supply from a stationary source the chamber operating period can be increased.

The chamber is equipped with a common communication coupling to connect a conditioner to permit a wider temperature range of the chamber application.

Provision is made for disconnection of a portion of the chamber with the stretcher to make it easier to carry the chamber with the patient inside it.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of certain embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general view of an oxygen compressive chamber, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the oxygen compressive chamber with a stretcher, while the remaining portion of the chamber is disconnected to make it easier to carry the patient;

FIG. 3 shows the chamber while in idle (or transportation) position;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through the chamber while in operating position;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line A--A in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows the chamber in the initial position (prior to starting operation);

FIG. 7 is a general view of the releasable airtightening connection;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the releasable airtightening connection (see FIG. 7, Ref. I);

FIG. 9 is a general view of an L-shaped split ring which is used in the releasable airtightening connection;

FIG. 10 shows a two-link lock of the releasable airtightening connection (see FIG. 9, Ref. II);

FIG. 11 is a schematic layout of the oxygen system in the chamber;

FIG. 12 is a schematic layout of an embodiment of the device for the remote introduction of medicinals to the patient;

FIG. 13 is a structural layout of the sealing unit while in the initial position; and

FIG. 14 is a structural layout of the sealing unit while in operating position.

The oxygen compressive chamber of the invention comprises two rigid end walls, viz., a head wall 1 and a rear wall 2 (see FIG. 1), and a side surface 3 made of an elastic airtight material. Mounted on the wall 2 are an oxygen bottle and a control desk of the oxygen system of the chamber 4. Attached externally to the end walls 1 and 2 are sockets to connect handles 5 (for carrying the chamber) and legs 6 with ground rollers. In no-use position (see FIG. 3), handles 5 can be disconnected from the chamber.

Constituting a portion of the chamber is a stretcher 7 (see FIG. 2) intended for putting the patient thereon and bringing the latter into the chamber; the stretcher is provided with a tipping leg 8.

Welded to the head wall 1 are tubular sockets 9, while welded to the rear wall 2 are sockets 10, serving to install the stretcher 7 (FIG. 4) therein.

Provided at the ends of the side surface 3 are flanges 11 and 12; rigidly secured to the flange 12 are two symmetrically disposed brackets 13 with guide rollers 27 (FIGS. 4, 5).

The flange 12 and the flange 14 of the wall 1 form a releasable airtightening connection, whereas the end wall 2 has a flange 15 welded thereto, with which the latter is permanently connected to the flange 11. Mounted to the wall 2 is a rigid protective shroud 16 carrying on its inner side one end of a telescopically retracting pipe 17; the opposite end of the pipe is connected to the flange 12. Attached to the side surface 3 of the chamber are rings 18 through which the pipe 17 is passing. Disposed on the head wall 1 along an arc is a perforated tubular manifold 19 connected with its ends to sockets 9. The head wall 1 is furnished with a cushion head-rest 20. Two-way communication with a patient is effected by means of a microphone 21 and an interphone device 22 located outside the chamber. To visually observe the patient, the head wall is given illuminators 23.

The stretcher 7 comprises a bed 24 with a mattress, and two rods made of pipes 25 rigidly connected to the bed 24. Secured underneath and to the bed 24 are two channelled guide members 26 whose recesses enclose rollers 27 which are securely affixed to the brackets 13 (see FIGS. 4,5).

Mounted to the flange 12 of the side surface of the chamber (see FIG. 6) is a two-end hook 28, one end of which cooperating with a lock 29 found on the shroud 16, while the other end of the hook cooperating with a lock 30 found on the wall 1.

The releasable airtightening connection formed by the flanges 12 and 14 (see FIGS. 7,8,9,10) incorporates an inflatable rubber bead 31 of which the inner space is communicating via a hole 32 with the inner space of the chamber.

Located in a slot of the flange 12 is a metal L-shaped split ring 33 adjacent to a circular shoulder 34 of the flange 12 the latter having a seat blade 35 which thrusts against the bead 31.

Installed in the joint of the split ring 33 is a two-link lock 36, comprising a pivoted lever 37 located on one side of the split of the ring 33, and a lever 38 located on the other side thereof. The lever 38 carries a spring-loaded latch gear 39.

The oxygen system of the chamber, mounted principally in the wall 2, comprises an oxygen bottle 40 (see FIG. 11), a charging union 41 and a pressure gauge 42, of which both are disposed at the inlet of the bottle; a pressure reducer 44 and a circulation injector 45 located in the inner space of the socket 10 to which is connected the pipe 25 of the stretcher 7.

Parrallel to the line of the circulation injector 45 is located an oxygen line for the purging the chamber, the latter line consisting of a two-way cock 46 and an injector 47 of increased oxygen delivery.

Located on the suction line of the circulation injector 45 is a common coupling case 48 with non-return valves 49 which are pressed off their seats by the pushers of a stopper 50. (If necessary, the stopper 50 of the case 48 can be replaced with a mating coupling case to connect the chamber to a conditioner).

Mounted in the wall 1 of the chamber is a signalizer 51 to check pressure in the inner space of the manifold 19.

The signalizer 51 includes a spring-loaded diaphragm carrying a permanent magnet 52 which is cooperating with an electric contact 53 through the housing wall.

The super-diaphragm space of the signalizer 51 communicates with the inner space of the manifold 19, while the sub-diaphragm space of the signalizer communicates with the inner space of the chamber.

The inner space of the chamber communicates with a pressure gauge 54, whereas the wall 2 carries a regulator 55 of oxygen pressure in the chamber, and a safety valve 56.

The oxygen compressive chambers known in the art are often furnished with special devices to effect remote introduction of various medicinals to the patient placed inside the chamber. Provisions of injections materially improve the efficiency of treatment by the hyperbaric oxygen method.

The oxygen compressive chamber, according to the present invention, is provided with special sealing sockets for inserting therethrough the pipelines of the injection device.

Described hereinafter is one of the embodiments (see FIG. 12) of the injection device according to the spirit of the present invention, comprising a stand 57, to which a holder 58 is secured and locked on the stand by a screw 59. A container 60 for keeping various medicinals is held in a transparent protective hood 61 which is covered at top with a pressure cover 62.

The container 60 is closed by a thick-walled rubber plug 63 through which two needles are inserted, viz., a short needle 64, and a long needle 65, the top end of the latter needle emerging above the level of the liquid. The stand 58 is adapted to fix thereon a number of containers 60. The equal-length needles of each container are connected to a common pipeline 66 (for needles 65) and to a common pipeline 67 (for needles 64). Mounted on the branch pipes of the pipeline 66 are clamps 68, while on the branch pipes of the pipeline 67 -clamps 69. In addition to that, a filter 70 is installed at the inlet of the pipeline 67.

Built in the wall of the oxygen compressive chamber are sealing sockets 71 and 72 for airtightened insertion of the pipelines 66 and 67 into the chamber. Complementary fitted to the end of the pipeline 67 is an adapter 73 for an injection needle 78 (see FIG. 13), the latter adapter being protected with a rubber cap 74.

The sealing socket 71 (or 72) comprises a thick-walled rubber washer 75, a retainer 76, and a pressure nut 77.

The chamber is functioning as follows.

Prior to placing a patient therein, the chamber is to be prepared in the following way (see FIG. 6). The side surface 3 of the chamber is folded bellows-like in the protective shroud 16, while the flange 12 of said surface is pulled up towards the shroud 16 by means of the lock 29.

The stretcher 7 is fixed in sockets 9 of the wall 1 by means of a spring-loaded catch (not shown). The leg 8 of the stretcher 7 is tipped down into operating position to facilitate insertion of pipes 25 into sockets 10 when connecting the wall 2 of the chamber to the stretcher 7. When this is being done, rollers 27 of brackets 13 come into the channels of the guide members 26 of the stretcher 7.

Then, the lock 29 is released and the flange 12 together with the side surface 3 of the chamber are moved to the extreme left-hand position. During this action, the flange 12 is moving along the guide members 26 of the stretcher, while the pipe 17, through the medium of the rings 18, keeps the side surface 3 of the chamber in the horizontal position (see FIGS. 4,5,6).

Now, by means of the lock 30, the flange 12 is pulled up toward the flange 14 of the wall 1 of the chamber; this makes the split ring 33 expanding, coming over the shoulder 34 and then locking. The blade 35 thrusts in the rubber bead 31, whereas the lock 36 holds the releasable airtightening connection in the close position (see FIGS. 6,7,8,9,10).

The above done, the valve 43 is opened, and oxygen starts flowing from the pressure reducer 44 into the injector 45, thus initiating the delivery and circulation of oxygen in the chamber. The injector 45 draws in oxygen from the chamber, forces it through the coupling 48-50 (with the stopper 50 mounted, the non-return valves 49 are open) and delivers it into the manifold 19 via the pipe 25. Further on, oxygen comes into the chamber through the holes in the manifold and enters then inlet union of the coupling case 48. A portion of oxygen bleeds out through the valve 55 (see FIG. 11).

A pure oxygen medium, when urgently needed in the inner space of the chamber, is obtained by purging the chamber with oxygen. For this purpose, the cock 46 should be opened and an increased rate of oxygen delivery to the injector 47 should be ensured. An oxygen stream from the injector 47 also comes into the manifold 19 and therefrom together with air bleeds out through the valve 55. To save oxygen, purging is usually performed at the very beginning of the operation, when the valve 55 is adjusted for zero hyperbaric pressure. In case the valve 55 went wrong, the safety valve 56 will anyway act.

Pressure inside the chamber is checked against the pressure gauge 54, while normal functioning of the ventilation system can be checked through the signalizer 51. In case of uncontrolled reduction of oxygen delivery through the injector 45, as may be with clogging the injector nozzle, the pressure head is dropping in the inner space of the manifold 19; then, the spring presses off the diaphragm and also the magnet 52 into the extreme right-hand position to cause the electric contacts 53 to open (see FIG. 11). This results in actuation of the audible ALARM Signal produced in the interphone device 22 (see FIG. 4).

Removing the patient from the chamber is carried out in the reverse order to that described above. The handle of the valve 55 (see FIG. 11) is set to zero position for the purpose of releasing the excess oxygen pressure from the chamber. When no excess pressure is observed, the lock 36 should be opened by shifting the latch 39 to the right (see FIG. 10) and the lever 38 should be turned counter-clockwise around its axis. This makes the split ring 33 expanding and slipping off the shoulder 34 to disengage the connection (see FIGS. 7,8,9).

Upon opening the chamber, oxygen delivery is shut off by means of the valve 43 (see FIG. 11).

The flange 12 is shifted to the extreme right-hand position to be held by the lock 29 (see FIG. 6). The leg 8 of the stretcher is tilted down, and now the portion of the chamber with the stretcher can be detached. For transporting the empty chamber, the stretcher 7 is disconnected from the walls 1 and 2 of the chamber and then the walls are coupled to each other (see FIG. 3).

To make injections of medicinals to the patient, the device for remote introduction of medicinals is being actuated, which functions as follows.

Containers 60 with the required medicinals are installed in the holder 58. Needles 64 and 65 which should be preliminarily sterilized together with pipelines 66 and 67, are inserted into the containers as it can be seen from FIG. 12. Then, the pipelines 66 and 67 are inserted through the sealing sockets 71 and 72 of the chamber, whereupon the protective cap is removed from the adapter 73 and an injection needle 78 is attached in place (see FIG. 14). The nut 27 after being screwed in, ensures airtightness of the pipelines with the help of washers 75 (see FIGS. 13 and 14).

The holder 58 is raised to a required height, clamps 68 and 69 are made open and the inner spaces of the pipeline 67 with the needle 78 are filled with the medicinal (air bubbles should be completely driven out from the inner space of the pipeline 67 and its branch lines). The filter 70 traps and retains all mechanical impurities which can occur in piercing the plug 63 by the needles 64 and 65. Then, clamps 69 are closed, and before the compressive chamber is airtightened, an injection is made to a patient by the injection needle 78 (see FIGS. 12, 13, 14).

In the course of treatment by the hyperbaric oxygen method, the physician may open the needed clamp 69 to introduce the required medicinal to the patient. The device permits introduction of several medicinals to the patient.

In operating the device, clamps 68 are always kept open, which ensures constant equalizing of the pressure in the container 60 in relation to the pressure in the compressive chamber.

The injection rate can be regulated by varying the lifting height of the holder 58 on the stand 57. When medicinal injections are not needed, the pipelines 67 and 66 are removed from the sockets 71 and 72 and stoppers are inserted instead.

The above described device for remote introduction of medicinals to the patient who is accommodated in the compressive chamber, permits injections to be performed by the generally adapted practice, which requires no additional training of personnel attending the chamber.

Thus, the oxygen compressive chamber implemented according to the spirit of the present invention, is capable of efficient treatment of a patient at a place of accident and also during carrying the chamber by stretcherbearers, or in transit.

The stock of oxygen in the chamber is large enough for its self-contained functioning within a matter of 1.5 hour, while with oxygen delivery from a stationary source this period can be extended as needed. The chamber is furnished with a common communication coupling permitting a conditioner to be connected to the chamber, which widens the temperature range of its application. Maximum operating pressure of oxygen in the compressive chamber is 1.2 kg/cm.sup.2, the weight of the chamber is not over 55 kg, the stripped chamber (see FIG. 2) weighs no more than 20 kg. The chamber can be collapsed into idle (or transportation) position (see FIG. 3) to make it thrice as shorter. Overall dimensions of the chamber in operating position -- 2,800.times.900.times.700 mm, when collapsed -- 950.times.900.times.700 mm. The interphone device of the chamber contains its own power source (dry cell).

The chamber is simple and reliable in operation and can be applied under urban or countryside conditions and also in remote areas (when delivered by a helicopter, for example), at breakdowns in mines and other accidents or emergencies.

Claims

What we claim is:

1. An oxygen compressive chamber for rendering emergency medical aid to the patient placed inside said chamber, comprising first and second rigid end-face walls; a collapsible elastic side wall connected with the first of said end walls; a stretcher formed by a bed with tubular rods connected to the second of said end walls on one end; tubular sockets mounted in said first end wall and connected to the free ends of said rods of the bed so that when the said side wall is connected with said second end wall said side wall jointly with said end walls forms a closed volume wherein the bed is arranged; an airtightening connector releasably connecting said side wall to said second end wall; and means for supplying the chamber mounted on said first end wall with an oxygen supply means arranged in the leg portion, said system having circulation and purging injectors with outlets of each terminating within the corresponding one of said sockets in the first end wall, perforated manifold means disposed on said second end wall and communicating with said tubular stretcher rods, whereby said stretcher installed in said sockets conducts oxygen into the head portion of the chamber through said perforated manifold.

2. An oxygen compressive chamber as defined in claim 1, including means for remotely injecting medicine into said patient; air conditioning means for conditioning the air to a desired temperature and humidity within said chamber; control panel means with intercom means, said chamber being collapsible for storage and transportation, said chamber being free of an external electrical source of power, said oxygen supplying means comprising compressed gas flasks for building up pressure inside said chamber, said chamber being substantially cylindrical for building up pressure within said chamber; a manually controlled safety valve communicating with said chamber for exhausting the oxygen supplied by said flasks from said chamber; and injectors communicating with said chamber for supplying said oxygen to said chamber and intermixing the gas inside the chamber for preventing development of stagnation zones.

3. An oxygen compressive chamber as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said airtight connector comprises two profiled flanges, one of said flanges being disposed on the second end wall of the chamber, while the other is secured to the side wall of the chamber, the former of said flanges incorporating an inflatable rubber bead and a metal L-shaped split ring carrying on the joint thereof a two-link lever lock, while the latter of said flanges is fitted with an airtightening seat and a shoulder, the latter shoulder cooperating with said L-shaped split ring.