US 3,977,432 AGranted

Breathing mask and variable concentration oxygen diluting device therefor

AssigneeAmerican Hospital Supply Corporation

InventorClaude A. Vidal

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Abstract

An improved oxygen mask, particularly useful for treating patients requiring inhalation therapy, wherein the extent of oxygen dilution with room air may be selectively controlled to provide different predetermined oxygen concentrations. The diluter is interposed in the line between the inlet hose of the mask and the oxygen supply tube and essentially comprises two closely-fitting parts: a tapered tubular body which houses an integral ejector nozzle, and a tapered tubular sleeve which is fitted upon the body for rotational movement into any of a plurality of selected positions but is securely locked against axial movement upon that body. The parts have apertures which are moved into or out of alignment as the sleeve is rotated into different angular positions of adjustment. An aerosol adapter may be removably mounted upon a projecting end portion of the body for directing vapors towards the inlet apertures of the diluter.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A device for diluting and controlling the concentration of oxygen delivered to a patient through a breathing mask, comprising a tubular body having one end portion adapted for connection to a breathing mask hose, an opposite end portion provided with an axial passage-defining stem adapted for connection to a pressurized oxygen supply line, and an intermediate portion extending between said end portions;

said intermediate portion having at least one side wall aperture and terminating adjacent said one end portion in a circumferentially-extending shoulder;
an ejector nozzle within said body communicating directly with the passage of said stem and having an orifice facing towards said one end of said body;
a tubular sleeve snugly, substantially air-tightly, and rotatably fitting upon said intermediate body portion having a first end engagable with said shoulder;
said sleeve having at least one side aperture selectively registrable with the aperture of said body;
and locking means projecting outwardly from said opposite end portion of said body for engagement with a second end of said sleeve;
said shoulder and locking means preventing axial displacement of said sleeve upon said body without restraining relative rotation of said body and sleeve;
said intermediate portion of said body and said sleeve being gradually tapered at the same angle in the direction of said opposite end of said body;
said intermediate portion having its outer surface snugly and substantially air-tightly engaging the inner surface of said sleeve;
said locking means preventing relative axial movement of said sleeve and said body out of said snug surface engagement;
said opposite end of said body being provided with at least one continuously-open side wall aperture extending beyond said sleeve and communicating with the interior of said body to provide a minimum level of oxygen dilution during operation of said device regardless of the rotational position of said sleeve.

7 more elements

said intermediate portion having at least one side wall aperture and terminating adjacent said one end portion in a circumferentially-extending shoulder;
an ejector nozzle within said body communicating directly with the passage of said stem and having an orifice facing towards said one end of said body;
a tubular sleeve snugly and rotatably fitting upon said intermediate body portion having a first end engagable with said shoulder;
said sleeve having at least one side aperture selectively registrable with the aperture of said body;
and locking means projecting outwardly from said opposite end portion of said body for engagement with a second end of said sleeve;
said shoulder and locking means preventing axial displacement of said sleeve upon said body without restraining relative rotation of said body and sleeve, said locking means comprising an elongated tongue formed in the side wall of said body and provided at its free end with an outwardly-projecting lug engagable with said second end of said sleeve to restrain axial movement of said sleeve towards said opposite end of said body, said tongue having side edges spaced from the remainder of said body by narrow slots extending through said body wall, at least a portion of said slots being formed in said opposite end portion of said body to provide continuous flow communication with the interior of said body regardless of the rotational position of said sleeve.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.