PORTABLE MEDICAL GAS DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract

An apparatus for producing gas for use in medical applications. The apparatus includes a compressed gas unit having at least one container of compressed gas and a solenoid valve. An adjustable pressure regulator communicably connected to the gas container, separate and distinct from the solenoid valve, is adjusted to control the pressure of the gas provided from the container to tire solenoid valve An electrical power source Is connected to the solenoid valve. A pressure activated electronic switch connected to the power source is responsive to a selected amount of voluntary fingertip, pressure for opening the solenoid valve to transmit the gas therethrough to a conduit, which further transmits the gas to a destination for use or storage.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. An apparatus for dispensing medical grade gas, said apparatus comprising: a portable compressed gas unit including: a housing including a cylinder cartridge puncture valve adapted for attachment to a source of compressed gas, a solenoid communicably connected to the source of compressed gas, the solenoid including an inlet and an outlet, a pressure adjustable gas regulator separate and distinct from the solenoid and communicably interconnected between the source of compressed gas and the inlet of the solenoid for selectively adjusting the pressure of the gas provided from the source of compressed gas to the solenoid, the gas regulator including a regulator adjustment knob to provide a selected level of pressure, a pressure gauge connected between the gas regulator and the solenoid, and a pressure activated electric switch engaged to selectively open the solenoid; and a conduit communicably attached to the outlet of the solenoid for transmitting gas to a destination for storage or use in a medical application when the solenoid is opened by operation of the pressure activated electric switch.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the compressed gas includes at least one of carbon dioxide, atmospheric air, helium and oxygen.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the compressed gas is contained within a replaceable compressed gas cartridge.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 in which the pressure activated electric switch includes an electronic push button device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Other objects, features and advantages will occur from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a side perspective and partly schematic view of a preferred compressed gas unit in accordance with this invention including compressed gas (CO.sub.2) cylinders, a pressure adjustable regulator and a separate solenoid;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of an alternative compressed gas unit enclosed in a housing; and

[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic layout of the components of the compressed gas unit of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In FIG. 1, compressed gas unit 1 comprises a solenoid 55 with at least one compressed gas (CO.sub.2) cylinder 27 connected communicably to the solenoid. In one embodiment, compressed gas cylinder or cartridge 27 is 25 g or larger. Compressed gas cylinder 27 is secured into position to unit 1 by means of cylinder cartridge puncture valve 26 and a fitting 74. In a preferred embodiment, cylinder cartridge puncture valve 26 has a mechanism for piercing cylinder 27, as is known in the art, and for holding or securing said cylinder in place. Compressed air is delivered to solenoid 55 from compressed gas cylinder 27 through cylinder cartridge puncture valve 26 and channel 73 of fitting 74. Conduit 73 of fitting 74 communicates with a threaded conduit 38 described more fully below.

[0017] Compressed gas unit 1 has at feast one battery 65 held in place by battery holder 42, for providing electrical power by which solenoid 55 may be selectively activated and opened by a pressure activation switch or actuator 37. The switch is designed so that solenoid 55 is opened when a physician or other medical personnel engages the switch by voluntarily applying a small predetermined amount of fingertip pressure to switch 37. It is not activated by a breathing sensor or other actuators designed to be operated by involuntary movement of the user's body. Battery 65 supplies power to solenoid 55 through switch wire assembly 23, which is connected to activation switch 37. This switch is mounted to a pressure nut 32 carried on threaded conduit 38. Compressed air unit 1 has electrical wiring 39 for providing necessary electricity from switch 37 to solenoid 55

[0018] Unit 1 also comprises a separate black rock regulator 140, which is distinct from solenoid 55. Regulator 140 is controlled or adjusted by a regulator adjustment knob 30 to provide a selected level of pressure to the gas provided to the solenoid. Black rock regulator 140 is communicably connected to unit 1 by an elbow pipe 40. The elbow pipe includes a threaded vertical conduit segment 41 joined to regulator 140 through a connector nut and the threaded horizontal conduit 38, which is engaged by pressure nut 32.

[0019] Compressed gas cylinder 27 is secured to unit 1 by cartridge puncture valve 26 as is commonly known. In one embodiment, compressed gas cylinder 27 is a 25 g cylinder. Alternative capacities (e.g. 16, 33, 45 grams) may be used within the scope of this invention Compressed air leaves black rock regulator 140 at the regulator adjusted pressure through a 10/32 hose port 12b and flows through a hose junction 22 by means of pressure hose 54, until reaching the 10/32 hose port 12 affixed to solenoid 55. From hose port 12, the compressed air enters solenoid 55 Compressed air unit 1 also has an outlet air port 25, which is connected to solenoid 55 through intermediate 10/32 hose port 12a for transporting compressed gas, namely CO.sub.2, from solenoid 55 in compressed gas unit 1 to the storage container or other destination for medical gas whenever the solenoid is opened. Outlet gas may be monitored with pressure gauge 52 connected to hose junction 22 through a conduit 45 having threads 46 The threaded end of conduit 45 interengages a nut 48 carried by hose junction 22.

[0020] In certain embodiments a second compressed gas cylinder or cartridge 28, featuring a 16 g or 25 g compressed gas cylinder, may be used in addition to or in lieu of gas cylinder 27. In still other embodiments a larger compressed gas cylinder and expansion chamber may be substituted for the gas cartridges previously described in accordance with the invention. The size and number of compressed gas containers are not limitations of the invention.

[0021] FIGS. 2 and 3 depict an alternative embodiment of a compressed gas unit 1a wherein various components of the gas unit are enclosed in a housing 75a. The components of unit 1a are designated by reference numerals that correspond to those of the previously described embodiment and further include lower case a designations. In particular, a CO.sub.2 cartridge 27a is connected by a puncture valve 26a to a regulator 140a. The regulator is controlled by an adjustment knob 30a. Regulator 140a is connected through a conduit 54a to both a pressure gauge 52a and a solenoid 55a. More particularly, gauge 52a is connected to a coupling 48a. Solenoid 55a is powered by a battery 85a. which is itself held in place within the housing by a holder 42a. A user accessible Luer fitting 25a is communicably connected to solenoid 55a and extends exteriorly of housing 75a.

[0022] Unit 1a is actuated to selectively open solenoid 55a by manually engaging switch 37a through voluntary fingertip pressure This transmits the pressure regulated CO.sub.2 or other gas through solenoid 55a and fitting 25a. The compressed gas unit thereby operates in a manner analogous to that previously described to provide pressure adjusted CO.sub.2 from cartridge 27a through Luer fitting 25a to a gas storage container or other destination tor the medical gas. The following are preferred examples of such applications.

Examples of Use

[0023] It is contemplated that the apparatus of the present invention be used in methods and procedures requiring delivery of medical gas. The following are examples of such applications:

[0024] CO.sub.2 is useful in the following arterial procedures: abdominal aortography (aneurysm, stenosis) iliac arteriography (stenosis), runoff analysis of the lower extremities (stenosis, occlusion), renal arteriography (stenosis, arteriovenuous fistula [AVF], aneurysm, tumor), renal arterial transplantation (stenosis, bleeding, AVF), and visceral arteriography (anatomy, bleeding, AVF, tumor).

[0025] CO.sub.2 is useful in the following venous procedures: venography of the upper extremities (stenosis, thrombosis), inferior versa cavography (prior to filter insertion), wedged hepatic venography (visualization of portal vein), direct portography (anatomy, varices), and splenoportography (visualization of portal vein).

[0026] CO.sub.2 is likewise useful in the following interventional procedures: balloon angioplasty (arterial, venous), stent placement (arterial, venous), embolization (renal, hepatic, pelvic, mesenteric) transjugular intrahepatic portacaval shunt creation, and transcatheter biopsy (hepatic, renal).

[0027] Angiography is performed by injecting microbubbles of CO.sub.2 through a catheter placed in the hepatic artery following conventional hepatic angiography. Vascular findings on US angiography can be classified into four patterns depending on the tumor vascularity relative to the surrounding liver parenchyma hypervascular, isovascular, hypovascular, and a vascular spot in a hypovascular background.

[0028] Improved CT colonography, an accurate screening tool for colorectal cancer, is performed using a small flexible rectal catheter with automated CO.sub.2 delivery. This accomplishes improved distention with less post-procedural discomfort.

[0029] Carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2 ) gas is used as an alternative contrast to iodinated contrast material. The gas produces negative contrast because of its low atomic number and its low density compared with the surrounding tissues. When injected into a blood vessel, carbon dioxide bubbles displace blood, allowing vascular imaging. Because of the low density of the gas, a digital subtraction angiographic technique is necessary for optimal imaging. The gas bubble can be visible on a standard radiograph and fluoroscopic image.

[0030] CO.sub.2 insufflation for colonoscopy improves productivity of the endoscopy unit.

[0031] Endoscopic thyroid resection involves creating a working space within the neck using CO.sub.2 insufflation devices, with both axillary and neck approaches as starting points for dissection.

[0032] CO.sub.2 unsufflators are used during laparoscopic surgery.

[0033] Because of the tack of nephrotoxicity and allergic reactions, CO.sub.2 is increasingly used as a contrast agent for diagnostic angiography and vascular interventions in both the arterial and venous circulation.

[0034] CO.sub.2 is particularly useful in patients with renal insufficiency or a history of hypersensitivity to iodinated contrast medium.

[0035] CO.sub.2 is compressible during injection and extends in the vessel as it exits the catheter.

[0036] CO.sub.2 is lighter than blood plasma; therefore, it floats above the blood. When injected into a large vessel such as tire aorta or inferior vena cava, CO.sub.2 bubbles How along the anterior part of the vessel with incomplete blood displacement along the posterior portion.

[0037] CO.sub.2 causes no allergic reaction. Because CO.sub.2 is a natural byproduct, it has no likelihood of causing a hypersensitivity reaction. Therefore, the gas is an ideal alternative. Unlimited amounts of CO.sub.2 can be used for vascular imaging because the gas is effectively eliminated by means of respiration.

[0038] CO.sub.2 is partially useful in patients with compromised cardiac and renal function who are undergoing complex vascular interventions.

[0039] Intranasal carbon dioxide is very promising as a safe and effective treatment to provide rapid relief for seasonal allergic rhinitis.

[0040] CO.sub.2 is used for transient respiratory stimulation; encouragement of deep breathing and coughing to prevent or treat aterectasis; to provide a close-to-physiological atmosphere (mixed with oxygen) for the operation of artificial organs such as the membrane dialyzer (kidney) and the pump oxygenator, and for injection into body cavities during surgical procedures.

[0041] Medical asepsis is accomplished by using CO.sub.2 on implant devices prior to surgical implantation. CO.sub.2 may be effectively delivered to a foam generating tip for creating a medical foam for use in wound care and hair loss treatment.

[0042] Additionally, the present invention is used in methods requiring the deliver of other gasses such as: Carbon Dioxide U.S.P., Medical Air U.S.P., Helium U.S.P., Nitrogen U.S.P., Nitrous Oxide U.S.P., Oxygen U.S.P. and any combination thereof.

[0043] In one embodiment, the present invention provides for an apparatus and use in a method whereby delivery of a gas alone is desired. The delivery of gas is independent of systems whereby a gas is delivered as a earner for medications or other materials.

[0044] While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0045] Although specific features of the invention are show in some of the drawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with any and all of the other features in accordance with this invention.

[0046] Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims: