JPS6175229A - Differential pressure indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an =E indicator, and more particularly to a low IJ difference If indicator.

(Description of the Prior Art) Devices such as those described above are required for a variety of uses, and breathing apparatuses that require immediate detection of the presence or absence of food pressure in the detection portion of the device are used for such purposes. This is an example. Respiratory equipment to which the present invention can be applied include, for example, the 1980
There are chest drainage devices, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application No. 156.920, filed June 6, 2006. What is important for the operation of the chest drainage device is that the fluid collection chamber connected to the patient's thoracic cavity via the drain tube must be maintained under negative pressure, similar to the patient's thoracic cavity. If positive pressure is generated inside the fluid collection chamber, there is a risk of a dangerous situation for the patient.

For this reason, it is desirable to have a means to instantly check whether the pressure inside the liquid collection chamber is positive or negative.Furthermore, the differential pressure indicator is a disposable type. In some cases, it is desirable to have one-time piece drainage (chθε
t drainage) when used in equipment.

In this case, the differential pressure indicator must have a simple and inexpensive structure without compromising value or performance. However, the present invention is not limited to application to chest drainage devices, but can also be applied to other applications where it is desirable to have a simple and effective indicator that immediately indicates the presence or absence of a differential pressure. It is necessary to understand that

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a mechanical differential pressure indicator with easy P5.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a differential pressure indicator that is inexpensive to manufacture and can be a one-time disposable type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a differential pressure indicator of the type described above that is sensitive to relatively low pressure differentials.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a differential pressure indicator with a flexible inflation-deflation bladder that provides a visually readable indication when deflated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved differential pressure indicator for a thoracic drainage system that provides an immediate visual indication of the presence of negative pressure within the chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a flexible collapsible material which is attached to a chamber defining a volume to be monitored and which is sealed to the chamber such that the interior thereof is in communication with the chamber. It has a strong sense of humor. The opposite side of the air bladder is exposed to the pressure within the second chamber or to ambient pressure, which may be atmospheric pressure, depending on the particular environmental conditions and the type of equipment using the differential pressure indicator. The differential pressure between the ambient pressure and the room pressure is applied to the air sac, and the air sac is completely deformed in a manner that is easy to stop and can be immediately detected. I'm worried.

It is desirable to have a predetermined normally relaxed shape that returns when no differential pressure is applied. In this way, the shape of the air sac changed from its normal relaxed state, and
The presence of differential pressure can be immediately detected. Furthermore, the direction of action of the differential pressure can be determined from the direction of deformation of the air sac.

For example, when the air sac contracts, there is negative pressure in the room, and when it expands, it means there is relative positive pressure in the room.

In one embodiment of the invention, the indicator may include means for the appearance of a visually readable indication when the differential pressure reaches a predetermined value. In such embodiments, the air sac is in the form of a thin translucent open element, such as a thin rubber. The member housed inside the air sac cannot be directly viewed through the translucent air sac unless the translucent air sac is contracted flat against the surface of the member. The member may be provided with a macroscopic indicia such as "negative pressure" or "positive pressure" which can be read through the deflated translucent air sac.

As soon as the air sac expands and separates from the member, you will feel air.

The above-mentioned objects, other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description 71) with reference to the drawings.

(Example) Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 shows one practical aspect of the invention as applicable to a chest drainage device such as the type described in the above-mentioned US patent. The chest drainage device illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a fluid collection chamber connected to the patient's air space via a tube. In some devices, suction is applied to the fluid collection chamber, while in other devices, the negative pressure within the patient's thoracic cavity is communicated to the chamber via a tube, so that the surgeon himself or herself can This allows the desired negative pressure in the chamber to be maintained. In either case, the present invention can be used to provide an immediate, visually readable indication that the pressure within the chambers, ducts, and patient's thoracic cavity is negative. In this case, a device embodying the invention may be attached to a true drainage device as shown in FIG. 7, for example by means of a tube or fitting 1 as shown in FIG. Can be installed. The tube or fitting 1 is implemented in or otherwise communicates with a collection chamber, indicated generally at 3 in FIG. The drainage device is equipped with an outlet 4 connected to a suction source. The drainage flow path is from the inlet 2 to the drainage device,
It passes through the liquid collection chamber 3 and reaches the discharge path. A part of the drainage channel is located at the front of the drainage device, as shown at 5 in Figure 7.
It can be seen through the Monel inspection window. In the illustrated embodiment of the thoracic drainage device, the collection chamber 3 is of sufficient size to allow air space above it, so that the inlet 2, the collection chamber 3, the drain 5 and the drainage tube are 4
is definitely in gas communication. With this arrangement, gas can flow through the drainage device and waste liquid can be stored in the lower part of the liquid collecting chamber 3.

As shown in the figures, the differential pressure indicator can be mounted on the thoracic drainage device so that it can communicate with the air space formed at the top of the fluid collection chamber. The differential pressure indicator may be provided with a housing of molded plastic construction generally indicated at 12.

As shown, the housing 12 can include a top wall 14, a bottom wall 16, a front wall 18, and a back wall 20. An end wall 22 may also be formed at one end of the housing. The other end of the housing has an end cassos 2
4 is installation. The kigisop 24 can be formed integrally with the fixture 1 or with a fixture 26 to which a drainage device for the monitored chamber V of the pond can be attached.

As a whole, a flexible balloon deflation bladder, indicated at 28, is mounted inside the housing 12;
! l++: i, communicates with the monitored room via a fixture 1 or the like. In the partially illustrated embodiment of the invention, air bladder 28 is in the form of an elongated balloon whose open end is sealingly attached to a portion of end cap 24. The end cap 24 is fitted with a air pocket 8 via a fitting 26.
A flow path 29 is provided that communicates the till with the liquid collection chamber to be monitored. Air 928 can be observed through a transparent inspection window 30 provided in the front wall 18VC of the housing. Alternatively, the housing may be made entirely of transparent plastic. The housing 12 is ventilated with the atmosphere through a vent hole 32VC formed in the end wall 22;
28 ml of air! 1 can be exposed to ambient pressure.

The tubular air 528 is formed so that it can maintain a predetermined shape when there is no differential pressure between its inside and outside.

In the case of the illustrated case, it is preferable to manufacture the material in a substantially cylindrical shape and to select a material, thickness, and rigidity that can maintain the shape when relaxed, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the air sac can be formed from thin latex tubing with a wall thickness of about 5 mils. The latex tube is approximately 2.5 inches long and approximately % inseed in diameter. The drainage device (ζ
It has been found that the air sac has sufficient rigidity to maintain its relaxed cylindrical shape without excessive relaxation when the air sac is not subjected to any differential pressure.

Figures 2 through 5 show how to attach the balloon deflation bag 28 inside the housing. In this embodiment, the end cap 24 is molded with a protrusion 34 . The open end of the balloon deflation 928 is fixed to the protrusion 34. As shown, the open end of the air sac 28 is fitted over the projection 34 and secured to the projection 34 by a resilient O-ring 36 that tightens the open end of the air sac 528 around the projection 34. held on top. The projection 34 includes a peripheral lip 38 to prevent the O-ring 36 from slipping off the projection 34. A flow path 29 passing through the fitting 26 and further through the protrusion 34 is formed and communicates with the inside of the air 528.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that when the device is applied to a thoracic drainage device, the negative pressure (relative to ambient pressure) within the collection chamber causes the tubular air sac 28 to harvest. For example, it may have a somewhat hourglass shape as shown by phantom line 28' in FIG. As previously mentioned, air sacs are materials of extremely thin thickness that retain their original shape when not acted upon by differential pressure, but can begin to perceptibly deform when pressure differentials begin to develop. It is possible to form the In this way, l/10 (from river to 2/1000 kg
/cTL2, the air sac begins to deform appreciably. Conversely, if positive pressure occurs in the collection chamber (
This is a dangerous condition for the chest drainage device), and the air sac 28 inflates. Depending on the environment in which the differential pressure indicator is used and the configuration of the dosing device, if you want to have the ability to display the pressure i1'11 of the upper pressure and negative pressure, it may be necessary to It is desirable to have sufficient elasticity to be able to indicate whether the pressure is positive or negative pressure.

In some cases, it is desirable to be able to visually display not only the presence or absence of a differential pressure, but also the minimum pressure of that differential pressure. For example, in the case of a chest drainage device, it is desirable to be able to display that the minimum negative pressure in the fluid collection chamber is 2/1000 to 4/1000 kg//Cm2. For this reason,
The thoracic pirenegage device is constructed by attaching a member 42 within the air sac. In the illustrated embodiment, the member 42 is flat and can be mounted to extend into the air bladder 28. The air bladder 28 can be mounted within a socket 44 formed in the projection 34 of the end cap 24. The socket 44 receives a base 46 that can be integrally formed with one end of the member 42. The base 46 has a flow path (fifth
The socket 44 is designed to allow flow through the air sac (see figure) and maintain communication between the inside of the air sac 8 and the flow path 29.
and is formed for the flow path 29.

The member 42 may be provided with a visually readable indicia printed with the words "Positive Pressure" in the illustrated embodiment. Because the air sac in this embodiment is formed of a translucent material, member 1 and the printed text on member 42 cannot be seen through the translucent air sac 28.

However, when the air sac contracts around the member 42 and comes into contact with the member 42, the translucent air sac 2
8, the display is so thin that it can be read with the naked eye. Figure 4 shows the symbol for the air sac when the air sac is completely deflated.The dimensions, thickness, wall thickness and details of the material forming the air sac have been modified. Depending on the particular environment in which the differential pressure indicator is used, it may be possible to fully deflate at a selected and preset differential ';E'@. In this regard, as the differential pressure increases, the shape of the air becomes diamond-shaped, which can be seen with the naked eye, but until a predetermined pressure value is reached, the markings printed on the inner member cannot be read with the naked eye. You need to realize that you can't do it.

It should be recognized that the method of manufacturing and installing a differential pressure indicator described above is only one of various methods that will be apparent to those skilled in the art in carrying out the present invention. For example, the air sac can be attached to the chamber so that it extends inside the chamber rather than outside the chamber, as shown. In this configuration, the negative pressure in the chamber causes the air sac to It expands and contracts due to the relative rise of the chamber. In either case, the development of a differential pressure is indicated by a change in the shape of the air sac, and if a visually readable symbol is used: By displaying "Top-dama", it is possible to provide almost the same information.

In some cases, it may also be possible to omit the gas sac-protecting nozzle completely, or to make it entirely of transparent material.

Overall, the present invention has a simple and inexpensive structure.
It is clear that the present invention provides a mechanical differential pressure indicator that is disposable.

The chest drainage device can be used under a variety of environmental conditions. However, the foregoing description of the present invention is merely for convenience of explanation, and the 45 aspects of the present invention Embodiments and variations of the pond will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from this.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, 2nd (2) is an enlarged sectional view of the differential pressure indicator regarding a2-2 in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view with a partially cutaway J cross-sectional view of the differential pressure indicator, FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the differential pressure indicator along line 4--4 in FIG. 3, and FIG. , a cross-sectional view of the differential pressure indicator taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4; FIG.
1J is a partially cutaway elevational view of a thoracic drainage device with a differential E indicator according to the present invention. l...Fixing fixture 2...Drain pipe 3...Liquid collection chamber 4...Drain α5...Drain channel
12...No Ujifugu 28...Kinou
29... Channel 30... Point window 3
2...Engraving of the ventilation hole drawing (no change in content) Procedural amendment (method) 2. The name of the person who made the amendment is the person making the amendment. Applicant's address: 7-t
'F' v-fl, do 4, agent

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a differential pressure indicator between a chamber and an ambient volume, a flexible air bladder having an outside and an inside, the inside being exposed to one chamber or the surrounding volume and the outside being exposed to the other means for attaching the air bladder so as to be exposed to the chamber or the surrounding volume, the attachment means and the air bladder being arranged to form a structure capable of sealing between the chamber and the surrounding volume; The air sac is arranged and installed so that it has a structure that allows it to maintain a predetermined shape when it is not subjected to any differential pressure; What is claimed is: 1. A differential pressure indicator, characterized in that the differential pressure indicator has sufficient flexibility to indicate the direction in which the differential pressure acts based on the direction of change in shape. 2. The differential pressure indicator according to claim 1, wherein the air sac is arranged to have a structure capable of displaying the minimum differential pressure. 3. The differential pressure display according to claim 2, characterized in that the air sac has elasticity, sufficient wall thickness, and dimensions to maintain the predetermined normal shape when the air sac is relaxed. vessel. 4. A patent characterized in that the elasticity of the air sac is low enough to allow appreciable deflection from a predetermined shape in response to a pressure difference of 1/1000 kg/cm^2. A differential pressure indicator according to claim 3. 5. The air sac has a substantially cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open, and the open end communicates with the chamber. Differential pressure indicator. 6. The air sac is translucent, and when the air sac is deflated, a member is provided inside the air sac that comes into close contact with the periphery of the air sac, and when the air sac comes into contact with the member, the air sac is translucent. The wall thickness and degree of translucency of the air sac so that the part can be seen directly, but when the air sac is spaced apart from the part, it is almost impossible to see the part directly. The differential pressure indicator according to claim 3, wherein the differential pressure indicator is configured to select. 7. A patent characterized in that the member is provided with a display symbol, and when the air sac contracts and comes into close contact with the member, the display symbol can be directly observed with the naked eye through the air sac. A differential pressure indicator according to claim 6. 8. A differential pressure indicator according to claim 3, comprising a housing surrounding the air sac, said housing including a vent hole exposing the outside of the air sac to ambient pressure. 9. The differential pressure indicator according to claim 8, further comprising a transparent panel on the housing so that the air sac can be observed. 10 A liquid collection chamber that collects the liquid, an inlet that communicates with the liquid collection chamber,
an outlet communicating with a liquid collection chamber, the inlet, the outlet and the liquid collection chamber being arranged such that the air space can form an air space in an upper portion of the liquid collection chamber, the air space providing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. a thoracic drainage device having a flexible air sac having an inner side and an outer side, and one of the inner side and the outer side. means for attaching the air sac so that one side is exposed to the air space and the other side is exposed to the atmosphere, and the attachment means and the air sac are provided with a structure capable of providing a seal between the liquid collection chamber and the atmosphere. The air sac is placed,
The structure should be arranged and installed so that it can maintain a predetermined shape in the absence of any differential pressure, and should have sufficient flexibility to the differential pressure to allow the air sac to deform in response to the differential pressure. A thoracic drainage device characterized by being flexible and displaying the direction of differential pressure action based on the direction of deformation.