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US 4,045,525 AGranted
Gas humidification apparatus
OwnerJames A. Hugginsinventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerJames A. Hugginsinventor
Estimating the term…
Apparatus for administering humidified gas (e.g., oxygen) to a patient includes a plastic connector for connection to an oxygen supply and having an oxygen supply tube therein. A spike portion on the connector or on a diffuser at the lower end of the supply tube is caused to pierce the stopper in an intravenous solution bottle after which the supply tube is pushed to the bottom of the solution bottle. Oxygen from the supply tube is delivered to the bottom of the bottle through small holes at the bottom end of the supply tube or in the diffuser. The humidified oxygen enters a chamber formed by a part of the interior of the connector portion that is not occupied by the supply tube. The humidified gas then leaves the chamber and enters a conduit on the connector that is telescoped with a nasal cannula. The connector has a hole covered by the cannula tubing or by another piece of tubing such that the tubing expands upon excess pressure being in the connector to act as a safety valve.
In a connector for a gas humidification apparatus that includes a container of the type having a sealed but pierceable closure, a body having a tubular portion and a gas supply tube axially slidable therein, said gas supply tube being of substantially smaller diameter than that of said tubular portion to form a chamber by the part of the bore of said tubular portion that is unoccupied by said gas supply tube, said gas supply tube having an outlet end with a diffuser thereon, cooperating means comprised of an exterior wall portion of the tube disposed about and spaced from an interior wall portion on said diffuser and including divider elements forming a series of individual passageways communicating with said chamber and running longitudinally of said diffuser and exteriorly of said tube, said passageways also communicating with said outlet end and terminating in groups of gas discharge openings spaced longitudinally along said diffuser, said individual passageways defining gas flow channels from the gas supply tube to the interior of said container, and means on said diffuser for piercing the pierceable closure.
A connector for use in a gas humidification apparatus that includes a container with liquid and an opening with a closure therein, said connector comprising a body, first tubular means on said body for connection to a gas supply, second tubular means on said body having an end portion shaped for inhibiting removal of the body from the container closure, third tubular means in said second tubular means and being in communication with said first tubular means, said third tubular means and said second tubular means defining a chamber that is part of the bore of said second tubular means, said third tubular means being a gas supply tube having an outlet end initially adjacent to said end portion of said second tubular means and being movable axially in said second tubular means to position said outlet end remote from said end portion of said second tubular means, thereby to supply gas below the liquid level, the humidified gas then flowing into said chamber, a diffuser at said outlet end, said diffuser having a piercing point for penetrating said closure and a series of spaced openings through which the gas is adapted to pass, and in which said diffuser has a splined bore, said gas supply tube outlet end is in said bore, and the splines of said bore cooperate with said gas supply tube to provide longitudinal passages in said diffuser, adjacent ends of said passages terminating in at least some of said series of openings, and fourth tubular means forming a conduit for conveying humidified gas from said chamber.
A connector for use in a gas humidification apparatus that includes a container with liquid and an opening with a closure therein, and wherein the closure is of a type having sealed but rubber or rubber-like resilient pierceable structure of standard thickness;
Apparatus for administering humidified gas, such as humidified oxygen, to a patient comprising a container with liquid and having an opening with a closure thereacross, a connector assembly including means for connection to a gas supply and a tubular member, said connector assembly also including a gas supply tube in the bore of said tubular member and being in communication with said gas connection means, piercing means carried by said connector assembly for penetrating said closure and projecting therethrough, said gas supply tube extending beyond said end of the tubular member and being immersed in said liquid to supply gas thereto, means forming a chamber that is part of said bore for receiving humidified gas rising from the surface of said liquid, a conduit forming part of said connector assembly for conveying the humidified gas from said chamber, and a nasal cannula tube connected to said conduit, said connector assembly having a diffuser on said gas supply tube immersed in said liquid, said diffuser having a series of longitudinal splines that cooperate with the gas supply tube to form passageways that provide spaced groups of gas discharge openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.