JPH03143451A - Gas feeding system for respiration and gas feeding apparatus for respiration - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform efficient maintenance and control of an apparatus and to centrally grasp the condition of a patient by providing a gas feeding apparatus for respiration furnished with an absorptive gas generating device, an information collecting device related with a use of a feeding device, a transforming device thereof and a storing device and a transmitting device, a receiving device and a communicating device between them for the stored information. CONSTITUTION:A nose cannula 2 as a gas feeding device for respiration and a pressure-variable adsorption type oxygen concentrator 3 as a gas generating device for respiration are provided in a patient's home 1. The concentration is furnished with a concn. sensor 4, a flow rate sensor 5, an hour meter 6, an outside input device 7 and an A/D converter as an information collecting device and is also furnished with a storing device combining an RAM and a battery. A terminal network controller 9 is provided as a transmitting means and a telephone 11 of the patient's home reaches an information center 31 as a receiving means through a telephone exchange office 21 by a communication telephone line 22 and a leased telephone line 23.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention <Field of Application of the Invention> The present invention provides a respiratory gas supply device that supplies respiratory gas to patients with respiratory diseases, etc., using a transmitting means and a receiving means via a communication means. In summary, the present invention provides a system for monitoring a respiratory gas supply device. Furthermore, the present invention provides a breathing gas supply device adapted to such a system.

<Prior art> Conventionally, patients with respiratory diseases have been treated with oxygen therapy supplied from oxygen cylinders, and recently oxygen concentrators have been developed to obtain oxygen-enriched gas by condensing oxygen in the air by aS. Oxygen therapy using it has become increasingly popular.

Such oxygen concentrators include, for example, an adsorption type oxygen concentrator that uses an adsorbent that can selectively adsorb nitrogen as an oxygen concentrating function part, and a model oxygen concentrator that uses an oxygen selective permeability membrane as an oxygen compression function part. There is a vessel.

As another oxygen supply method using oxygen therapy, a method is known in which oxygen evaporated from liquid oxygen at a suitably controlled rate is supplied to the patient.

Such oxygen concentrators are used not only in hospitals but also increasingly in homes for home medical care. These oxygen concentrators are individually placed in hospitals and homes, and their operating status is monitored and managed separately.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> The present invention makes it easy to understand the operating status of each device for a large number of oxygen concentrators that are arranged independently and whose operation is managed. The purpose is to enable efficient maintenance and management.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a system that can centrally grasp the condition of the device as well as the condition of the patient using the device.

In other words, oxygen concentrators used for medical purposes assist the breathing of the patient who uses them, and are often directly connected to maintaining the patient's life. It is important to understand whether or not an abnormality occurs, to accurately understand it if an abnormality occurs, and to take countermeasures as quickly as possible.

In particular, when oxygen concentrators are used at home, it is important to properly manage their use.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present inventors have developed a breathing gas supply device that makes it easy and reliable to grasp the usage status of the breathing gas supply device such as a medical oxygen concentrator. As a result of intensive research, we have equipped individual respiratory gas supply devices (hereinafter also simply referred to as supply devices) distributed in each home with specific information collection means, storage means, etc., and equipped them with a transmission means. The present invention has been achieved based on the discovery that it is practically effective to add the information to a receiving means, which is a center for collecting information, through a communication means.

That is, the present invention provides: (1) a breathing gas generating means, a breathing gas supplying means for making the breathing gas available for use, and a system for collecting information regarding the use of the generating means and the supplying means by detection or input; A breathing gas supply device comprising an information collection means, a conversion means for converting the information as necessary, and a storage means for storing the information as necessary, and 0) storage by the storage means. a transmission means for transmitting the information;
(to) a breathing gas supply system comprising a receiving means for receiving information transmitted from the transmitting means; and (g) a communication means for communicating between the transmitting means and the receiving means. This is what we provide.

As a more preferable aspect, the breathing gas supply system of the present invention is provided with a flow rate setting means for the breathing gas for use by the breathing gas supply device, and the information is set in the meteor setting. A breathing gas supply system that relates to a flow rate setting in a means: a breathing gas supply system in which the breathing gas supply device has means for detecting its operating time, the information relating to the operating time; system:
The respiratory gas supply device is equipped with at least one type of means for inputting patient information as necessary, such as an emergency alert regarding the patient using the operating time, a means for detecting the blood oxygen concentration of the patient, etc. , a respiratory gas supply system in which the information is at least one of the emergency warning and patient information such as the blood oxygen concentration; the respiratory gas generating means generates oxygen enriched gas with increased oxygen concentration from air; and an oxygen concentrating function section for separating B, and supplying air to the oxygen concentrating function section, supplying B unenriched gas from the oxygen concentrating function section, or supplying oxygen enriched gas from the oxygen concentrating function section. , the breathing gas supply device is configured to control the pressure and temperature of the gas such as 2 mm of air,
It has a means for detecting at least one kind of information on the oxygen a degree of the oxygen-enriched gas and the meteor, and comparing it with a corresponding predetermined value inputted in advance, and comparing with the predetermined value to which at least one kind of information corresponds without making any concessions. A breathing gas supply system that detects an abnormality as an abnormality alarm when an abnormality is detected; the breathing gas supply device has a built-in microcomputer, and the information A breathing gas supply system that is related to at least one of an abnormality in operation and an abnormality in power supply voltage; the breathing gas generating means comprises a liquid oxygen storage means equipped with a liquid level or extrusion detection means, A breathing gas supply system in which the information relates to the liquid level or gravity of stored liquid oxygen; an A/D for the conversion means to convert analog signals collected by the information collection means into digital signals; A breathing gas supply system which is a signal converting means and a parallel/serial converting means for changing into a communication signal: The communication means uses a telephone line, and the transmitting means stores a destination telephone number. A respiratory gas supply system comprising a transmission control means for preventing transmission when using a telephone connected to a telephone; A respiratory gas supply system in which the transmission means comprises a network control means; and a reception means. However, if necessary, at least one of an inverse transformation means for performing the inverse transformation of the transformation, a display means for the received information, a storage means for the information, and an arithmetic means for performing an operation using the information. Includes a breathing gas supply system. Incidentally, it is more preferable from a practical point of view that the receiving means is equipped with a display means such as a display screen or a printer.

Each of these has an excellent practical effect of making it easier and more reliable to manage the usage status and maintenance of the breathing gas supply device.

Furthermore, the present invention includes a respiratory gas supply system in which the transmitting means also has a receiving function, and the receiving means also has a transmitting function. Furthermore, in such a system, the respiratory gas supply device is equipped with a display means for displaying information transmitted from the transmitting function section of the receiving means and received by the receiving function section of the transmitting means. Includes breathing gas supply system. With this configuration, it becomes possible to facilitate more reliable maintenance and management of the device from a remote location.

The present invention also includes a respiratory gas supply system in which the receiving means has an automatic transfer function section,
Such a system includes a breathing gas supply system in which a transfer information receiving means is connected to the automatically transferable part of the receiving means via a communication means. Such a configuration has the advantage that emergency measures can be taken more easily.

The present invention further includes a respiratory gas supply system in which a plurality of combinations of the respiratory gas supply device and the transmitting means are each connected to one receiving means via a communication means; A plurality of combinations of a breathing gas supply device and the transmitting means are each connected to one receiving means via a communication means, and a plurality of transfer information receiving means are connected to the receiving means via each communication means. Includes a connected breathing gas supply system. Such a system facilitates the management of multiple respiratory gas supplies, especially when used at home.

Further, the present invention includes a breathing gas generating means, a breathing gas supplying means for making the breathing gas available for use, and an information collection system for collecting information regarding the use of the generating means and the supplying means by detection or input. The present invention provides a respiratory gas supply device comprising a means for converting the information, a converting means for converting the information as necessary, and a storage means for storing the information as necessary. Such a device can be easily adapted to a system with the advantages mentioned above.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below.

The respiratory gas supply system of the present invention includes a respiratory gas supply device, a transmitting means, a receiving means, and a communication means for connecting them.

Such a breathing gas supply device includes a means for generating breathing gas, a supply means for making the gas available for use, an information collection means for collecting information regarding the use of the gas, and a means for collecting information on the use of the gas, and a means for collecting the information as necessary. a conversion means for converting the
It is equipped with a storage means for storing such information as necessary. Specific examples of such storage means include a combination of RAM (Random Access Memory) and a battery, and non-volatile memory.Although the storage means may be independent, it may also be incorporated into the conversion means. good.

Breathing gases include air, and 1 minute from the air used to aid breathing! In addition to tm-condensed oxygen-enriched gas (i.e., concentrated oxygen) and oxygen, it includes mixtures of drug vapor and the like, and for medical purposes, oxygen-enriched gas and oxygen are often used.

Examples of means for generating breathing gas include an oxygen cylinder equipped with a predetermined amount of oxygen outflow function, an oxygen concentrator for separating oxygen a-condensed gas from the air, and a liquid equipped with a predetermined amount of oxygen outflow function. Examples include oxygen storage tanks. As oxygen concentrators, there are adsorption types, models, and in some cases, those that use magnetism. For example, a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator.

In the case of a model oxygen concentrator, one unit filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing oxygen or nitrogen is used as an oxygen concentrating function section for separating oxygen-enriched gas with increased oxygen concentration from air. Alternatively, two or more adsorption beds and membrane modules capable of selectively permeating oxygen are used, each usually equipped with a compressor for introducing compressed air into each adsorption bed, and a vacuum for reducing the pressure in the space on one side of the membrane module. A pump means with an electric motor called a pump is used. Furthermore, if necessary,
Cold f! for cooling these pump means! Fan means are provided for producing I-air. It is also provided with conduit means for operatively connecting the oxygen concentrator and pump means, and automatic or manual on-off valves necessary for the conduit means.

Delivery means for providing respiratory gas include those comprising conduit means, nasal cannulas, masks, and the like.

The information collecting means is for collecting information regarding the use of these generating means and supplying means, and is preferably provided with detection means and external input means as necessary for collecting the information. Such information is appropriately selected depending on the generation means, but for example, in the case of a model, adsorption type, etc. oxygen S condenser, pressure,! Blue density, flow fi, il!
Temperature inside the compressor.

Regarding abnormalities in current, power supply voltage, built-in computer, etc., oxygen concentration and flow rate measured as necessary,
Pressure, temperature, etc., operating time of the concentrator.

Information regarding the patient, such as the used flow rate set value, the steamer unit number, the patient's name, and the blood oxygen concentration, etc., are included. Information specific to liquid oxygen reservoirs includes the liquid level, overall mold temperature, etc. Note that this information may be detected and collected by a detection means included in the device, or may be collected by other detectors (i.e., testers) equipped with an oxygen concentration detector, a flow meter, etc. The information may be detected by connecting it to an oxygen concentrator as necessary, and may be input and collected by an input means.

For example, if the breathing gas generation means is an oxygen concentrator, information regarding abnormalities may include the pressure, temperature, and oxygen temperature of the gas detected by the detection means installed therein or connected externally as necessary. , flow m, etc. are compared with respective predetermined values inputted and stored in advance by a comparison means, and when at least one type of information is determined to be abnormal based on the results of the comparison, an abnormality alarm is detected. Note that the gas pressure here refers to the pressure in the adsorption bed or storage tank for oxygen-enriched gas, which is usually checked in the case of a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator, for example. This refers to the pressure within the area that has been reduced by a vacuum pump. Furthermore, temperature refers to the humidity in the internal space of the compressor chamber or vacuum pump chamber of an adsorption type or model oxygen concentrator, for example. The flow rate refers to the flow rate of breathing gas for normal use.

For example, when the information is an analog signal, the conversion means included in the breathing gas supply device of the present invention may be
Digital (A/D) conversion means and parallel/
Serial signal conversion means can be mentioned. In addition, when the information is based on a contact signal or an operation signal, it is desirable to use it as it is without going through such a conversion means.

Further, as the storage means provided in the apparatus of the present invention, preferably a microcomputer means is used, in which case the information regarding the abnormality is the overcurrent.

It is desirable to use at least one of computer malfunctions, power supply voltage abnormalities, and the like. In addition, pressure fluctuation adsorption type
In the case of a Fi element concentrator, it is desirable that the automatic opening/closing valve means Zl+ for performing adsorption/desorption cycles is also controlled by such a microcomputer means.

In the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention, a preferred example of the transmitting means is a network control means, and a preferred example of the communication means is one using a telephone line. In particular, the transmitting means is equipped with a storage means for storing the telephone number of the destination, the transmission schedule, etc.,
Furthermore, it is advantageous in practice to use a network control means which is provided with a connection means to a telephone line and a transmission control means which allows transmission only when the telephone connected thereto is not in use.

As the telephone line serving as the communication means, it is desirable to use a communication telephone line between the transmitting means and the telephone office, and a dedicated line between the telephone office and the receiving means.

Further, the receiving means in the breathing gas supply system of the present invention may include a receiver for inversely converting the information converted by the converting means of the breathing gas supply apparatus, such as serial/parallel conversion, as necessary depending on the type of information. It is practically preferable to provide a means. Furthermore, it is preferable that the receiving means includes a display means such as a display screen or a printer for outputting and displaying the received information. Further, the receiving means may be equipped with arithmetic means for performing various performances using the received information.

Further, in the system of the present invention, the transmitting means can also be equipped with a receiving function section, and the receiving means can also be equipped with a transmitting function section. Practically advantageous is a system in which a replacement command, etc., is inputted from an input means provided in the receiving means and transmitted from the transmitting function section to the receiving function section of the transmitting means. In this case, for example, a display means for indicating when to replace the filter, etc. may be used as II!
It is desirable to have it in a binary concentrator or transmission means.

Preferably, the receiving means in the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention is further provided with a functional section for transferring to another receiving means, preferably an automatic transfer functional section.

Such an automatic transfer function unit must be connected to a communication means and provided with a transfer information receiving means beyond the communication means. Such forwarded information includes forwarded information that adopts an alarm that requires emergency measures and is distributed to a sales office or carried by a person in charge of aftercare for the respiratory gas supply device that issued the information. Practically speaking, it is preferable to have the information transferred to the receiving means. The transfer information receiving means may be operated all the time, or may be operated only at night or on holidays.

Further, as a system of the present invention, a plurality of combinations of a breathing gas supply device and a transmitting means are each connected to one receiving means via a communication means. In this way, a large number of respiratory gas supply devices can be connected via communication means to one receiving means, which is a central device incorporating computer means, and the operating status and usage history of each device can be monitored. It is easy to centrally grasp the condition of the patient being used.

Note that a plurality of respiratory gas supply devices may be combined with one transmitting means to form one set.

A system in which a plurality of combinations of a breathing gas supply device and a transmitting means are connected to one receiving means via a communication means, and the receiving means is further connected to a plurality of transferred information receiving means by separate communication means. is more effective in practice. Furthermore, a subsystem is a plurality of combinations of a breathing gas supply device and a transmitting means connected to one receiving means via a communication means, and a plurality of sets of such subsystems are further connected to a center via a communication means. The system may be connected to one receiving means as a device.

FIG. 1 illustrates the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention. In the figure, 1 indicates the patient's home, 2 is a cannula that serves as a means of supplying gas for breathing, and 3 is a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator that functions as a means of generating gas for breathing. It indicates a vessel. Note that any concentrator may be used as long as it has a function suitable for the purpose, and the details of its structure will be omitted. As an example of the specific structure, for example, JP-A-62-
140619 is cited. 4 is a concentration sensor, 5 is a flow rate sensor, 6 is an hour meter, and 7 is an external input means. 8 is an A/D converter, and is also equipped with a storage means combining a RAM and a battery. 9 is the terminal network i ~ work machine (
The NCU is manufactured by NTT Kansai Telecom, and 10 is a connecting device for connecting the terminal NCC from the patient's home phone 11.

21 is a telephone office, 22 is a communication telephone line, and 23
is a dedicated telephone line.

31 is an information center as a receiving means, 32 is an incoming network controller (NCtJ), 33 is a data processing system (i.e. computer) having a calculation means, etc., and 34 is a transfer means. This is a communication control system which also has the function of 1, and 35 indicates a modem which functions for automatic transfer to other receiving means. Nao 33 and 34
The connection method may be F/D (floppy diskette memory) passing or direct connection, and both may be included in the same CPU. 36 is a CRT as a display screen, and 37 is a printer, both of which are used to display calculation results etc. in the data processing system. 38 is a transmission network controller (NCU)
) [NTT Kansai Telecom ■! 24 indicates a dedicated telephone line which is prevented from ringing the telephone 11 by adding a NRT (No Ring Trunk) at the telephone office 21.

Reference numeral 39 indicates an input means for inputting command information at the time of transmission.

41 is a communication means for transmitting information such as alarms, 42 is a transfer information receiving means, and 43 is a receiver including a modem and a CPU. Note that 44 indicates a telephone office when the transfer communication means is carried out via a telephone line, and 45 and 46 indicate dedicated telephone lines. Reference numeral 47 indicates a printer as a means for displaying transfer information.

<Effects of the Invention> The respiratory gas supply system of the present invention has an excellent advantage that information regarding the usage status of a respiratory gas supply device using an oxygen concentrator etc. can be easily collected from a remote location. It is something that can be done.

In particular, the present invention is applicable to respiratory gas supply devices used not only in hospitals but also at home. I! This has the excellent effect of allowing efficient and accurate selection and maintenance management.

Furthermore, the breathing gas supply device of the present invention can be easily adapted to a breathing gas supply system having such advantages.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention.

Claims (18)

[Claims] (1) (i) Information collection for collecting information regarding the use of breathing gas generation means, breathing gas supply means for making breathing gas available for use, and the use of the generation means and supply means through detection or input. (ii)
) a transmitting means for transmitting the information stored by the storage means; (iii) a receiving means for receiving the information transmitted from the transmitting means; and (iv) between the transmitting means and the receiving means. A respiratory gas supply system equipped with a communication means for communicating with the user. (2) The breathing gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the breathing gas supply device is provided with a flow rate setting means for the breathing gas for use, and the information relates to a flow rate setting value in the flow rate setting means. gas supply system. (3) The respiratory gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein the respiratory gas supply device has means for detecting its operating time, and the information is related to the operating time. (4) The respiratory gas supply device is equipped with at least one type of means for inputting patient information according to the needs of the patient using the device, and the information is at least one type of patient information. The respiratory gas supply system of claim 1. (5) The breathing gas generating means includes an oxygen concentrating function section for separating oxygen enriched gas having an increased oxygen concentration from air, and supplying air to or from the oxygen concentrating function section. a pump means with an electric motor for extracting the oxygen-enriched gas, and the breathing gas supply device detects at least one information of the pressure and temperature of the gas, the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas, and the flow rate; means for comparing with a corresponding predetermined value inputted in advance;
Claim 1: An abnormality alarm is detected when the species information is found to be abnormal compared to the corresponding predetermined value.
breathing gas supply system. (6) The respiratory gas according to claim 1, wherein the respiratory gas supply device has a built-in microcomputer, and the information relates to at least one of overcurrent, abnormal operation of the microcomputer, and abnormality in power supply voltage. supply system. (7) The breathing gas supply according to claim 1, wherein the breathing gas generating means comprises liquid oxygen storage means equipped with liquid level or weight detection means, and the information relates to the liquid level or weight. system. (8) The converting means includes an A/D signal converting means for converting the analog signal collected by the information collecting means into a digital signal and a parallel/digital signal converting means for converting the analog signal collected by the information collecting means into a communication signal.
The respiratory gas supply system according to claim 1, which is a serial conversion means. (9) The communication means uses a telephone line, and the transmission means includes a means for storing a destination telephone number and a transmission control means for preventing transmission when using a connected telephone. A respiratory gas supply system according to claim 1. (10) The respiratory gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means comprises network control means. (11) The receiving means includes, as necessary, an inverse conversion means for performing the inverse conversion of the conversion, a display means for the received information, a storage means for the information, and an operation for performing calculations using the information. A respiratory gas supply system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following means. (12) The transmitting means also has a receiving function section,
2. A respiratory gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means also has a transmitting function. (13) Claim 12, wherein the respiratory gas supply device comprises display means for displaying information transmitted from the transmitting function section of the receiving means and received by the receiving function section of the transmitting means. breathing gas supply system. (14) The respiratory gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means has an automatic transfer function section. (15) The respiratory gas supply system according to claim 14, wherein a transfer information receiving means is connected to the automatically transferable section of the receiving means via a communication means. (16) The respiratory gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of combinations of the respiratory gas supply device and the transmitting means are each connected to one receiving means via a communication means. (17) A plurality of combinations of the breathing gas supply device and the transmitting means are each connected to one receiving means via a communication means, and furthermore, a plurality of sets of the breathing gas supply device and the transmitting means are connected to one receiving means via the respective communication means, and a plurality of sets of the breathing gas supply apparatus and the transmitting means are 16. The respiratory gas supply system according to claim 15, wherein information receiving means is connected. (18) a breathing gas generating means, a breathing gas supplying means for making the breathing gas available for use, and an information collecting means for collecting information on the use of the generating means and the supplying means by detection or input; A breathing gas supply device comprising a converting means for converting the information as necessary and a storage means for storing the information as necessary.