Gas and liquid contact apparatus – Fluid distribution – Valved
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-01
2001-02-20
Bushey, C. Scott (Department: 1724)
Gas and liquid contact apparatus
Fluid distribution
Valved
C261S063000, C261S121100, C128S203120, C128S203220, C128S204140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189870
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to medical oxygen humidifiers and, more particularly, to a dual port medical oxygen humidifier capable of switching between dry and humidified oxygen rapidly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Medical oxygen is delivered to patients in a variety of medical settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical institutions. As conventionally utilized, such oxygen specifically for patient use needs to be humidified when the delivery from the source to the patient is set above two or three liters per minute (LPM). Such oxygen flow rates are generally known to dry out sensitive nasal and bronchial tissues, and humidification of the delivered oxygen has been used to mitigate such problems. The delivery of oxygen at these flowrates, and therefore the humidification, are generally used in a number of known situations, such as for certain chronic and acute respiratory diseased patients, for oncology patients, for postoperative heart patients, for neonatal patients, and for home health care patients.
In other situations a respiratory therapist must administer nebulized medicated inhalation treatments requiring a higher flow rate of non-humidified oxygen.
Presently available disposable oxygen humidifiers are not known to be equipped to switch from humidified oxygen to straight oxygen. In order to overcome this deficiency, the therapist must perform a five step operation including shutting off the oxygen flow, unscrewing the humidifier, screwing on to the flow meter a tapered tube adapter, pushing the nebulizer tubing onto the tapered adapter, and then restarting the oxygen flow. When the treatment is completed, the therapist then reverses these five steps in order to return the flow of humidified oxygen. This entire ten-step operation can take as long as five minutes, and leaves the patient with no oxygen support in the interim.
Another problem occurs when breaks occur in a closed oxygen deliver system. Contamination and cross contamination are possible, and made more likely. Because of this, disposable humidifiers should be disposed of every 12 to 48 hours, depending on the critical nature of the patient.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor
Issue Date
5,407,604
Douglas Luffman
Apr. 18, 1995
5,396,884
James T. Bagwell et al.
Mar. 14, 1995
4,993,411
James J. Callaway
Feb. 19, 1991
4,753,758
Kenneth G. Miller
Jun. 28, 1988
4,603,021
Charles L. Urso
Jul. 29, 1986
4,532,088
Kenneth G. Miller
Jul. 30, 1985
4,381,267
Richard R. Jackson
Apr. 26, 1983
D338,519
Terry A. Peterson
Aug. 17, 1983
D263,337
Richard E. Hart et al.
Mar. 9, 1982
Of particular importance is Patent Number D263,337, in which an ornamental variation of the most typical disposable medical oxygen humidifier is disclosed.
Some devices in the prior art are constructed strictly for administering anesthetic gasses. None permit administration of either oxygen or humidified oxygen in the functional manner disclosed by the present invention.
Another problem found prevalent in the prior art is that the adjustment mechanisms are small in size, thereby making it difficult for nurses and other health care professionals with lowered finger and hand dexterity to adjust the device.
Consequently, a need has therefore been felt for an improved but less complex mechanism that can allow a respiratory therapist to easily switch between humidified oxygen delivery and straight oxygen delivery. Such reduced handling of the present invention reduces or eliminates the possibility of passing off nosocomial and drug resistant infections to the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved medical oxygen humidifier that is quick, easy and foolproof to use.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved medical oxygen humidifier that can be quickly and easily switched from humidified oxygen to straight oxygen.
Briefly described according to one preferred embodiment, the present invention is designed as an improvement on the commonly used, disposable bubble oxygen humidifier. A humidifying chamber is included for the blending of oxygen and moisture. A slide switch on the top of the humidifier directs pure oxygen to the patient, or alternately, routes the oxygen through the humidifier and on to the patient. Hoses are attached at an inlet supply port and an outlet discharge port in an otherwise conventional manner.
An advantage of the present invention is that no oxygen deprivation is experienced when switching between humidified oxygen to straight oxygen.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the risk of cross contamination is decreased when switched between humidified oxygen and straight oxygen.
Further, a preferred embodiment of the present invention can result in less lowering of patient oxygenation rate, decreases in patient respiratory or cardiac stress, and decreased replacement cost of humidifiers and tubing due to cross contamination.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2572199 (1951-10-01), Richards
patent: 2613067 (1952-10-01), Goodyer
patent: 2941528 (1960-06-01), Fabian et al.
patent: 3107689 (1963-10-01), Schreiber et al.
patent: 3192924 (1965-07-01), Edmondson et al.
patent: 4067935 (1978-01-01), Jones et al.
patent: 4607634 (1986-08-01), Clapham
patent: 775368 (1968-01-01), None
patent: 1149860 (1963-06-01), None
patent: 133194 (1960-12-01), None
patent: 193692 (1967-06-01), None
patent: 379270 (1973-06-01), None
Bushey C. Scott
Gugliotta John D.
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