Unit for adjusting humidification

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a humidification unit, a humidifying unit for an artificial respiratory device, and a method for manufacturing of a humidification unit.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing a humidifying unit for an artificial respiratory device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an enlarged portion of the humidifying unit of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a humidifying element employed in the humidifying unit of FIG. 1;

#The present invention will be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 7 show the humidification unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a patient circuit in an artificial respiratory device suitable for connecting an adapter (not shown), which is connected to the lungs of a patient, to a source of breathing gas. An inner portion of patient circuit 1 constitutes an intake path 2 for the delivery of breathing gases to an airway of the patient from a supply of breathing gas, such as a pressure generator. The flow of breathing gas in patient circuit 1 is indicated by arrow 3. The inner diameter of patient circuit 1 may be set to be in the range of, for example, from 14 mm to 16 mm for an infant patient and from 20 mm to 24 mm for an adult patient.

#In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, patient circuit 1 is mounted detachably to a humidification unit 4 that is provided with a short connection tube 5 as a support member, a mounting flange 6, and a humidifying element 7. Connection tube 5 may be a straight tube with both end portions engaged (connected) in an airtight fashion to connection end portions 1a of patient circuit 1. The outer diameter of connection tube 5 is set so as to be somewhat larger than the inner diameter of patient circuit 1, in order to ensure the airtight engagement with patient circuit 1 to be connected thereto, and it may be set appropriately in accordance with the patient circuit to be employed. As a matter of course, in this case, the relationship of engagement of connection tube 5 with connection end portions 1a of patient circuit 1 may be such that the inner periphery of connection tube 5 is engaged with the outer periphery of connection end portions 1a of patient circuit 1. In such a case, the inner diameter of connection tube 5 is set to be somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of connection end portions 1a of patient circuit 1 to be connected thereto, in order to ensure the airtight engagement with patient circuit 1 to be connected thereto. Further, in this case, the use of a packing, a fastening band or the like may be employed in order to enhance airtightness.

#The peripheral wall on one end of connection tube 5 (e.g., on the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) is formed with a mounting opening 8 for mounting flange 6. Mounting opening 8 is located at a position outside of connection end portion 1a of patient circuit 1 upon connection with connection end portion 1a and disposed so as to allow the inside of connection tube 5 to communicate with the outside thereof.