Gas separation – With nonliquid cleaning means for separating media – Solid agent cleaning member movingly contacts apparatus
Patent
1995-06-21
1997-05-20
Spitzer, Robert
Gas separation
With nonliquid cleaning means for separating media
Solid agent cleaning member movingly contacts apparatus
55332, 55486, 55528, 96154, B01D 5326
Patent
active
056308558
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a moisture-collecting device of the kind which comprises, firstly, an envelope having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid passage which extends between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and, secondly, a moisture-collecting means which is disposed in the fluid passage of the envelope.
Many different embodiments of devices of this kind are known. An embodiment which is often used in the nursing of patients comprises a rigid vessel which can be closed so as to be airtight and forms the envelope, and a bag-like container which is connected with the fluid inlet and serves as the moisture-collecting means. In use of this embodiment of the device, the fluid outlet is connected with a vacuum pump or other vacuum source while the fluid inlet is connected with, for example, a catheter or the like which is inserted in the respiratory tract of a patient to aspirate phlegm.
Phlegm or other more or less liquid substances which are transported through the fluid inlet are allowed to flow into the bag under the action of the vacuum that is maintained in the vessel and communicated with the inlet through one or more openings in the bag, which is attached to and suspended from the inlet. After use, the bag is detached and thrown away to be replaced by a new bag.
With proper positioning and use of this known device, phlegm drawn into the inlet is prevented from reaching the outlet and the hose that connects the fluid outlet with the vacuum source, and also from contaminating the interior surfaces of the vessel. However, the device is bulky and cumbersome.
An object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-indicated kind which lends itself to a simple and inexpensive construction and which is easy to use.
To this end, the device according to the invention is constructed as set forth in the independent claim. Characterising features of preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims and the following exemplifying description of the device according to the invention.
As explained in greater detail below, in the device according to the invention the moisture-collecting means comprises a moisture-absorbing body, a substantial portion of which is comprised of a material having large moisture-absorbing capability and which is disposed in the envelope in such a way that the fluid flowing through the envelope, such as aspirated air and liquid or gaseous moisture that is transported with the air, will be brought in a moisture-surrendering relation with the moisture-absorbing body. For practical purposes, therefore, fluid flowing through the envelope cannot reach the fluid outlet without having been brought so close to the moisture-absorbing material that at least the liquid phase, if any, of the fluid will be taken up by this material.
Three exemplary embodiments of the device according to the invention, which have been chosen to illustrate the invention, will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment in respectively plan view, elevation (partly in longitudinal section), and cross-section taken on line III--III in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment, namely an absorber unit which incorporates the first embodiment, in a view corresponding to FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 shows a modification of the embodiment in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows a cross-section taken on line VI--VI in FIG. 4;
FIGS. 7 to 9 are vertical sectional views of a third embodiment shown in three different conditions.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the moisture-collecting device, hereinafter referred to as a moisture-absorbing unit, is intended for use as a disposable item and comprises an envelope 11, which is formed of a tubular member 12 made of a plastic film or other flexible sheet material that is impervious to gases and liquids, and a pair of rigid end pieces 13 and 14 with which the ends of the plastic tubular member 12 are connected in airtight fashion and which are integrally formed with respectively a tubular inlet connector 15 and a tubular outlet
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Humanteknik AB
Spitzer Robert
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