WO2002034338A1

WO2002034338A1 - Portable oxygen supplying device

Info

Publication number: WO2002034338A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/000575
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang Hun Lee; Sang Woo You; Hee Sang Cha
Original assignee: VIRTUALMEDI Corp
Current assignee: VIRTUALMEDI Corp
Priority date: 2000-10-23
Filing date: 2001-04-04
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2003-04-23
Also published as: AU2001248881A1; KR20010000839A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable oxygen supplying device capable of properly supplying oxygen depending upon breathing conditions of the patient, wherein an oxygen bottle after use can be replaced with new one and a MP3 player or a cassette player is embedded therein. The device comprises a regulator detachably engaged with an oxygen bottle through a thread engagement; an intermediate tube communicating with the regulator in order for an oxygen gas from the oxygen bottle to be discharged through an outlet; a solenoid valve mounted on the intermediate tube to control the supply of the oxygen gas from the oxygen bottle; a pressure sensor for an automatic supply of the oxygen gas by detecting breathing condition of the patient; and a control unit for controlling the supply of the oxygen gas by turning on/off the solenoid valve based on input signals from the pressure sensor.

Description

PORTABLE OXYGEN SUPPLYING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable oxygen supplying device; and, more particularly, to a portable oxygen supplying device capable of properly supplying an oxygen gas depending upon breathing conditions of the patient, wherein an oxygen bottle after use can be replaced with new one and a MP3 player or a cassette player is embedded therein.

BACKGROUND ART

An oxygen supply device as shown in Fig. 1, which supplies an oxygen gas to a patient in an emergency situation is normally prepared in an emergency room of a hospital or an ambulance. For example, oxygen (O₂) channel 1 having an oxygen outlet 2 is attached to a wall of the hospital and a supply tube 3 is connected to the oxygen outlet 2 using a connector 4 for the supply of oxygen. On the other hand, the oxygen supply device 5 is connected to the supply tube 3 through the extension tube 10, which includes therein an air flow shut-off 6 for selectively shutting off the supply of oxygen, a sensor section 7 for detecting breath of the patient, a control section 3 for controlling the air flow shut-off 6 based on input signals from the sensor section 7 and a power supply 9 for supplying the power to the device 5. The oxygen gas being discharged to the extension tube 12 through the sensor section 7 is supplied to the nose of the patient for his breathing through a catheter 14. Since the prior art oxygen supply device constructed in this manner is equipped in only several designated places, e.g., an emergency room of the hospital, it is very difficult to use the oxygen supply device when an emergency situation occurs in remote place far from the hospital.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide a portable oxygen supplying device capable of being easily carried with and being conveniently used in an emergency situation in remote places, and capable of supplying a pure oxygen gas to a student for a test for making him have a clearer head, wherein an oxygen bottle after use can be replaced with new one and a MP3 player or a cassette player for enjoying listening to music is embedded therein.

The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a portable oxygen supplying device comprising: a regulator detachably engaged with an oxygen bottle through a thread engagement; an intermediate tube communicating with the regulator in order for an oxygen gas from the oxygen bottle to be discharged through an outlet; a solenoid valve mounted on the intermediate tube to control the supply of the oxygen gas from the oxygen bottle; a pressure sensor for an automatic supply of the oxygen gas by detecting breathing condition of the patient; and a control unit for controlling the supply of the oxygen gas by turning on/off the solenoid valve based on input signals from the pressure sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and features of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 gives a configuration of a prior art oxygen supply device;

Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a portable oxygen supplying device in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 represents a sectional view of the inventive portable oxygen supplying device; Fig. 4 depicts a configuration of the inventive portable oxygen supplying device; and

Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of the inventive portable oxygen supplying device.

MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereunder, a detailed description of the portable oxygen supplying device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be made with reference to Figs. 2 to 5. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, there are shown components constituting the inventive box-typed portable oxygen supplying device 20. The inventive portable oxygen supplying device 20 is in a form of a box. The portable oxygen supplying device 20 has, on its one side, i.e., a left side of the drawings, a control knob 26 for adjusting an amount of oxygen to be discharged and, on the other side, an outlet 38 through which oxygen is discharged, an earphone connector 44 into which earphones are plugged and a headphone connector 46 into which headphones 60 are plugged.

The headphone 60 employed in the present invention is of a same configuration as that of the normal headphones used for enjoying music. Phone speakers 62 are movably combined to both sides of the headphone 60 and a wire around which a volume controller 70 is installed is connected to the headphone 60.

Accordingly, while being carried with a person, the inventive portable oxygen supplying device 20 allows enjoying listening to music by inserting a plug 72 into the headphone connector 46, as well as supplying oxygen through a supply tube 68 integrally formed with the headphone 60. The supply tube 68 communicates with an extension tube 64 having on its one end discharge tubes 66. In use, the supply of oxygen is carried out after one end of the supply tube 68 is inserted into the outlet 38 and the discharge tubes 66 provided on one end of the extension tube 64 is positioned within the nose.

Further, the inventive portable oxygen supplying device 20 is provided with therein a MP3 player 42 or a normal cassette player and provided with on a front surface thereof a speaker system 50 attached thereto, which emits music sound reproduced by the MP3 player 42. A display 48 for displaying information, e.g., a remaining amount and pressure of oxygen within an oxygen bottle 24 is formed on a position upper than the speaker system 50. The portable oxygen supplying device 20 may be, if required, connected to a personal computer system through a connector 54 provided in a base member 52 to allow downloading MP3 files from the computer system. Further, a battery 32 of the portable oxygen supplying device 20 can be recharged through electrical connections 56.

As shown in Fig. 3 which gives more detailed explanation, the box-typed portable oxygen supplying device 20 is provided with therein a regulator 22 detachably engaged with the oxygen bottle 24, e.g., a thread engagement. The regulator 22 has a conventional pressure detection sensor attached thereto.

Further, in order for the oxygen gas from the oxygen bottle 24 to be discharged through the outlet 38, a solenoid valve 30 for controlling the supply of oxygen from the oxygen bottle 24 is mounted between the regulator 22 and an intermediate tube 34. A pressure sensor 88 for detecting breathing condition of the patient is connected to the intermediate tube 34. Information about the pressure of the oxygen gas and information input from the pressure sensor 88 are sent to a control unit 80 which then controls the supply of oxygen by turning the solenoid valve 30 on/off based on input signals from the pressure sensor 88. The oxygen bottle 24 after use can be separated as indicated with a solid line and then replaced with a new oxygen bottle. Arranged below the solenoid valve 30 is the battery 32 for supplying power to the MP3 player 42 for playing music.

Next, Fig. 4 shows configurations of the inventive portable oxygen supplying device and Fig. 5 gives a block diagram of the inventive portable oxygen supplying device. As shown, the inventive control unit 80 includes an amplifying circuit 82 for amplifying detection signals sent from the pressure sensor 88, an A/D converter 84 for converting analog signals input from the amplifying circuit 82 and the control knob 26 being manipulated, into corresponding digital signals, a controller 86 for performing valve operating algorism based on output signals from the A/D converter 84, and a valve driving circuit 30 sending signals, based on the control signals from the controller

86, to the solenoid valve 30 for turning on/off the solenoid valve 30.

Accordingly, signals related to breathing condition of the patient, which are detected from the pressure sensor 88 are input to the controller 86 through the amplifying circuit 82 and the A/D converter 84 and are displayed on the display 48 at the same time. Meanwhile, when information selectively determined and input by the user through a control switch 90 is input to the controller 86 through the A/D converter 84, the controller 86 performs the valve operating algorism to send the control signals to the valve driving circuit 30. In response to this, the solenoid valve 30 is turned on/off, controlling the amount of oxygen being discharged from the oxygen bottle 24.

The oxygen gas being discharged from the oxygen bottle 24 by the on/off operations of the solenoid valve 30 is discharged to the outlet 38 through the intermediate tube 34 and then supplied to the respiratory organs of the patient through the supply tube 68 and the extension tube 64. In accordance with the present invention described above, since the portable oxygen supplying device is in the form of one box, it is easy to carry the device with the user for the purpose of use in emergency situation in remote place. It is also easy to replace the oxygen bottle after use with new one. Further, the portable oxygen supplying device has therein the MP3 player or the cassette player to allow the user to enjoy listening to music. A supply of pure oxygen to a student for a test may make him have a clearer head, thereby increasing his study efficiency.

Further, when the inventive portable oxygen supplying device is installed between the patient and a channel for oxygen when oxygen is supplied using a cannula or a catheter, serving as a shut-off device, the inventive device can allow the supply of the oxygen to be automatically carried out only at the time when the patient breathes in, instead of a continuous supply of the oxygen to the patient. As a result of that, the oxygen supply is synchronized with the breath of the patient, preventing oxygen from being supplied when the patient breathes out. This reduces the consumption of oxygen.

That is, by adjusting the opening time of the solenoid valve depending upon the breathing condition of the patient, only as much oxygen as the patient requires can be consumed. Further, by adjusting the sensitivity of detecting the intake of the breath depending upon the strength of patient's breathing, it is possible to change the time of the supply of oxygen.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A portable oxygen supplying device comprising: a regulator detachably engaged with an oxygen bottle through a thread engagement; an intermediate tube communicating with the regulator in order for an oxygen gas from the oxygen bottle to be discharged through an outlet; a solenoid valve mounted on the intermediate tube to control the supply of the oxygen gas from the oxygen bottle; a pressure sensor for an automatic supply of the oxygen gas by detecting breathing condition of the patient; and a control unit for controlling the supply of the oxygen gas by turning on/off the solenoid valve based on input signals from the pressure sensor.

2. The portable oxygen supplying device of claim 1, wherein the supply tube is inserted into the outlet by intermediating the extension tube having the discharge tubes at its one end, and the supply tube is integrally formed with a headphone.

3. The portable oxygen supplying device of claim 2, further comprising a music reproducing means including a MP3 player for reproducing music and the headphone for emitting music sound.

4. The portable oxygen supplying device of claim 3, further comprising: a speaker system for emitting music sound reproduced by the MP3 player; a display for displaying infoπnation about a remaining amount and pressure of the oxygen gas within the oxygen bottle; and a control knob for adjusting an amount of the oxygen gas discharged from the oxygen bottle.

5. The portable oxygen supplying device of claim 1 or 4, wherein said control unit comprises: an amplifying circuit for amplifying detection signals sent from the pressure sensor; an A/D converter for converting analog signals input from the amplifying circuit and the control knob being manipulated, into corresponding digital signals; a controller for performing valve operating algorism based on output signals from the A/D converter; and a valve driving circuit sending signals, based on the control signals from the controller, to the solenoid valve for turning on/off the solenoid valve.