Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HUMIDIFIER FOR A PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a humidifier. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a humidifier
to be used in an infant care support apparatus.
Background Art
Patient or infant care support apparatus provide
controlled temperatures and humid environments for small or
premature infants. A typical support apparatus provides a
generally transparent enclosure within which heated and
humidified air is circulated to minimize the heat loss of
the infant. Such apparatus are provided with a large
access door to allow for placement or removal of the
infant. Supplemental access ways, such as hand ports or
small entry doors, are also often provided to permit
routine care of the infant while minimizing heat loss from
the apparatus.
Typically, infant care support apparatus include
built-in humidifiers through which filtered inlet air is
passed. Other support apparatus may include external
humidifiers which introduce filtered humidified air into
the support apparatus. These humidifiers, however, are
often configured or positioned such that refilling and
cleaning their reservoirs can be difficult. It would be
beneficial, therefore, to provide a humidifier that is
movable with respect to the support apparatus and is both
convenient to refill and to clean.
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Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a humidifier for use in
combination with a patient support apparatus. The
humidifier comprises a vaporizer and a container. The
container defines a reservoir and is movable relative to
the vaporizer between a first position operably coupled to
the vaporizer and a second position spaced apart from the
vaporizer.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides
an infant incubator comprising a tub and a humidifier. The
tub carries a patient support surface. The humidifier
comprises a vaporizer carried by the tub, and a container
defining a reservoir. The container is movable relative to
the vaporizer and relative to the tub between a first
position received by the tub and operably coupled to the
vaporizer, and a second position spaced apart from the
vaporizer and spaced apart from the tub.
A further embodiment of the present invention provides
an infant incubator also comprising a tub and a humidifier.
In this embodiment, the tub carries a patient support
surface and has a wall defining a perimeter of the
incubator. The humidifier comprises a vaporizer and a
container also carried by the tub. The container defines
a reservoir and is formed to include an opening in fluid
communication with the reservoir. The container is movable
relative to the vaporizer and relative to the tub between
a first position within the perimeter of the incubator and
a partially spaced apart position providing access to the
opening in the container, thereby providing access to the
reservoir from outside of the perimeter defined by the tub.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the
humidifier is made from a material that can withstand high
temperature sterilization and is movable to a third
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position spaced apart from the patient support apparatus.
In addition, the humidifier may include a container
supported on a slide, a refill pan to refill the container
while in the second position, a valve to provide fluid
communication between the reservoir and the container, a
manifold to engage the valve when the container is in the
first position, a front panel to provide a grippable body
to move the container between positions, a catch basin
positioned to catch excess fluid, a latch to secure the
container to the patient support apparatus, a spring to
bias the valve member, and a seal movable between an open
and closed position.
Additional features of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
the following detailed description exemplifying the best
mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The present invention will be described with reference
to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting
examples only, in which:
Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the humidifier according
to one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the patient
support apparatus of Fig. 3, taken along line II-II;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the
patient support apparatus according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the patient
support apparatus of Fig. 5, taken along line II-II;
Fig. 5 is another perspective view of a portion of the
patient support apparatus according to one embodiment of
the present invention; and
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Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of the
humidifier and patient support apparatus according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
Corresponding reference characters indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views. The
exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of
the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not
to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in
any manner.
Detailed Description of the Drawincts
The patient support apparatus of the present invention
may be constructed and operated in accordance with those
apparatus shown and described in U.S. Patent Application
Serial No. 08/926,380, entitled PATIENT-SUPPORT ASSEMBLY
FOR THERMAL SUPPORT APPARATUS, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference. Other features of the
patient support apparatus are discussed in detail in U.S.
Patent Application Serial No. 08/925,981, entitled CANOPY
ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS FOR THERMAL SUPPORT APPARATUS; U.S.
Patent Application Serial No. 08/925,873, entitled HINGED
PANELS FOR A THERMAL SUPPORT APPARATUS; and U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 08/926,383, entitled HUMIDIFIER FOR
A THERMAL SUPPORT APPARATUS, each of which is also
incorporated herein by reference.
The humidifier can be of conventional size and can be
configured to be used in conjunction with any conventional
patient support apparatus. During operation, fluid stored
in the reservoir unit is transferred through an open valve
to the vaporizer where a heating element changes the fluid
into a vapor which is then delivered to the support
apparatus. It is appreciated that the humidifier can be
made from any conventional material or materials including,
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but not limited to, metal, plastic, foam, rubber, high
temperature resistant materials and combinatie.~s thereof.
Illustrative reservoir unit 2 includes a f-quid storage
container defining a reservoir 5 as shown, for example, in
Fig. 1. Container 3 includes a bottom 4 and spaced apart
first and second end walls 6, 8 attached to bottom 4 and
extending upwardly therefrom. Each end wall 6, 8 includes
a top edge 10, 12, respectively. In addition, container 3
includes spaced apart first and second side walls 14, 16
attached to bottom 4 and extending upwardly therefrom.
Each side wall 14, 16 includes a top edge 18, 20,
respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, top edges 10,
12, 18, 20 of end walls 6, 8 and side walls 14, 16 are
generally coplanar. Additionally, side walls 14, 16 are
attached to end walls 6, 8 and cooperate therewith so that
container 3 is fluid impervious. Additionally in the
illustrated embodiment, side walls 14, 16 and end walls 6,
8 are integrally appended to bottom 4 and container 3 can
be molded from G.E.'s ULTEM~. It is within the scope of
the invention, however, as presently perceived, to form
container 3 using any suitable process and from any
material that can provide a fluid impervious container and
that can withstand a high temperature sterilization
process.
Partitions 22 are appended to bottom 4 and extend
upwardly therefrom as shown in Fig. 1. Each partition 22
is formed to include a top edge 24. Partitions 22 are
configured to inhibit the flow of fluid within container 3
in order to minimize the amount of fluid that may splash
when the caregiver is moving or refilling reservoir 5.
Thus, it is within the scope of the invention as presently
perceived to configure and arrange partitions 24 in any
manner desired in order to achieve this result.
Illustrative reservoir unit 2 includes three partitions 22
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spaced apart between end walls 6, 8. Top edges 24 of
partitions 22 are generally coplanar and are spaced apart
beneath the plane defined by top edges 10, 12, 18, 20 of
end walls 6, 8 and side walls 14, 16. However, it is
within the scope of the invention as presently perceived to
configure top edges 24 of partitions 22 to be generally
coplanar with top edges 10, 12, 18, 20 of walls 6, 14, 8,
16 or even to extend top edges 24 of partitions 22 above
the plane defined by edges 10, 12, 18, 20 of walls 6, 14,
8, 16 if space in support apparatus 26 so permits. To take
advantage of the full storage volume of container 3,
however, partitions 22 can be formed so that the fluid may
flow between them. For example, partitions 22 may be
formed to include openings therein (not shown). For
another example, partitions 22 may be positioned so that
there are openings between partitions 22 and one or both of
side walls 14, 16 to provide a path for fluid communication
between partitions 22.
Illustrative reservoir unit 2 is formed to include
such openings even though top edges 24 are spaced apart
from top edges 10, 12, 18, 20 of walls 6, 14, 8, 16 as
shown in Fig. 1. Each partition 22 includes a first side
edge 28 adjacent side wall 14 and a second side edge 30
adjacent side wall 16. However, each side edge 28 is
spaced apart from wall 14 to form an opening therebetween
and each side edge 30 is spaced apart from wall 16.
However, each side edge 28 is spaced apart from wall 14 to
form an opening therebetween and each side edge 30 is
spaced apart from wall 16 to form an opening therebetween.
Thus, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that
fluid in any portion of container 3 may flow to any other
portions of container 3 and that partitions 22 merely act
to baffle the flow of fluid during movement of reservoir 5
to inhibit splashing.
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Top edges 10, 12, 18, 20 of walls 6, 14, 8, 16
cooperate to define an opening in container 3 through which
fluid may be added to reservoir 5 as shown in Fig. 1. A
lid 32 is configured to cover the opening and is carried by
top edges 10, 12, 18, 20 during use of support apparatus 26
when humidifier assembly 1 is not being cleaned or
refilled. Lid 32 includes an edge 34 defining an opening
36 therethrough. A refill pan assembly 47, including a
refill pan 38 having edges 40, 42, 44, 46 and three walls
48, 50, 52 appended to refill pan 38 and extending upwardly
therefrom, is provided on lid 32. (See also Figs. 4 and
5.) As can be seen, wall 48 is appended to edge 40 and
extends upwardly therefrom, wall 50 is appended to edge 42
and extends upwardly therefrom, and wall 52 is appended to
edge 44 and extends upwardly therefrom. Top edges of each
of walls 48, 50, 52 of pan 38 are appended to edge 34
thereby mounting refill pan assembly 47 to lid 32 and
leaving one portion of edge 34 undisturbed. Edge 46 of
refill pan 38 cooperates with the undisturbed portion of
edge 34 and with an edge 54 of wall 48 and an edge 56 of
wall 52 to define an opening 58 that is in fluid
communication with refill pan 38 and reservoir 5. Thus, it
is appreciated that fluid can be deposited from a fluid
source to refill pan 38 from which the fluid will flow
through opening 58 into reservoir 5.
A channel 60 is formed on bottom 4 within reservoir 5
terminating at edges 62 and 64. Edge 62 is appended to
wall 6. A channel stop 66 is appended to edge 64 opposite
wall 6 and extends substantially upward from said edge.
Channel 60 is configured to receive a portion of valve
assembly 62. In the illustrated embodiment, an aperture 65
is disposed through wall 6. A valve guide 66 is provided
adjacent wall 6 on the exterior of reservoir 5 and about
aperture 65 to provide positional and directional support
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for valve 62 to ensure proper connection with receptacle
68, as shown in Fig. 2. Aperture 65 allows communication
with the exterior of reservoir 5 to enable transfer of
fluid to manifold 70.
In the illustrated embodiment, reservoir unit 2 is
configured to couple to a slide 72. (See also Figs. 2 and
4.) Slide 72 includes side rails 74, 76 which append to
edges 78, 80, respectively of a basin 82, and extending
upwards therefrom. End rails 84, 86 and 88, 90, 92 are
appended to edges 94, 96, respectively, and are attached
adjacent side rails 74, 76, respectively. Basin 82 is
configured to receive reservoir unit 2 within rails 74, 76,
84, 86, 88, 90, 92 which cooperate to limit movement of
unit 2 in the same plane as basin 82.
Illustratively, braces 94, 96 are positioned adjacent
rail 92 and basin 82 to assist in adding structural
integrity to slide 72. Container 3 is configured to fit
snug against rails 74, 76, 84, 86, 88, 90 and 92 ensuring
a consistent positional alignment between valve guide 60
and receptacle 68 in manifold 70. Slide 72 further
includes a catch basin 98 to collect any fluid that may
escape reservoir 5, (e. g., at valve guide 66). Catch basin
98 is formed adjacent edge 100 of basin 82 and is
positioned in an orientation under valve guide 66 when unit
2 is coupled with slide 72, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. A
barrier 102 is appended to edge 104 of basin 98 and extends
upward therefrom. The top edge of barrier 102 is appended
to edge 100 thereby mounting basin 98 to slide 72.
Slide 72 still further provides a front panel assembly
106 configured to cover edge 108 of cavity 110. (Compare
Figs. 3 and 5.) In the illustrated embodiment, assembly
106 comprises a block portion 112 positioned adjacent wall
8 of container 3 and rails 88, 90, 92 of slide 72, opposite
catch basin 98. Block 112 is configured to received braces
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94, 96. A front panel 114 is positioned adjacent block
portion 112 opposite wall 8, as best shown in Figs. 2 and
4. Front panel 114 is configured to serve as a covering
for cavity 110. It is appreciated that block portion 112
may be attached to slide 72 by extending screws through
basin 98 and into portion 112. It is further appreciated
that front panel assembly 106 may be either attached to
slide 72 or integrally formed thereto. In addition, front
panel 114 may provide indicia on its surface to communicate
information to the caregiver.
A handle 116 is hingedly attached to front panel
assembly 106, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. Handle 116 is
a generally rectangular grippable body that the caregiver
graspsto move reservoir unit 2. A bore 118 is disposed
through a hub body 120 attached to basin 98 through which
a pin 122 is extended. Hooks 124, 126 depend from handle
116 illustratively being spaced apart from each other on
opposite sides of hub body 120, as best shown in Fig. 1.
Handle 116 is configured to couple to pin 122 allowing said
handle to pivot about bore 118. A recess portion 113 in
front panel 114 is configured to receive handle 116. When
handle 116 is pivoted in direction 128 to a generally
vertical position, hooks 124, 126 are so configured to
engage flange 130 on edge 108 thereby preventing movement
of slide 72 in cavity 110. Conversely, when handle 116 is
pivoted in direction 128 to a non-vertical position, hooks
124, 126 disengage flange 130 thereby allowing slide 72 to
move within cavity 110.
Valve assembly 62 cooperates with reservoir unit 2 to
selectively provide fluid communication between reservoir
5 and manifold 70, as previously discussed. (See Figs. 2
and 4.) In the illustrated embodiment, valve assembly 70
comprises a stem valve block 132, a compressing spring 134,
a stem 136, a seal base 138, a plunger 140 and a seal 142.
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Stem valve block 132 is a longitudinally extending
cylindrical body having a hole 144 longitudinally disposed
therethrough configured to receive spring 134. Block 132
is positioned in channel 60 between channel stop 66 and
aperture 65 such that hole 44 is in substantial coaxial
alignment with aperture 65. Spring 134 is positioned in
hole 144 adjacent a flange 146 formed at end 148 of hole
144 which is positioned adjacent channel stop 66. Stem 136
is extended through spring 134 along its longitudinal axis,
as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Seal base 138 is coaxially
attached to end 150 of stem 136. In the illustrated
embodiment, plunger 140 is coaxially attached to seal base
138 projecting in a direction longitudinally opposite from
stem 136. A seal 142 made illustratively from silicon,
rubber or some other fluid impermeable material is provided
adjacent seal base 138 and positioned opposite stem 136 and
about plunger 140 ( see Figs . 2 and 4 ) . Seal 142 is also
positioned within reservoir 5 having a larger diameter than
aperture 65 (see Figs. 2 and 4). A seal 152 is fitted
about valve guide 66 adj acent wall 6 between container 3
and manifold 70. Seal 152 prevents any substantial amount
of fluid from leaking out of container 3. If, however, an
insubstantial amount of fluid leaks from container 3, it
will collect in catch basin 98.
Tip 154 of plunger 140 is extended through aperture 65
and through valve guide 66 being positioned to the exterior
of reservoir unit 2. Valve assembly 62 is configured such
that bias from spring 134 directs a force coaxial to stem
136 against seal base 138 forcing seal 142 against wall 6.
This forms a generally water-tight seal around aperture 65
preventing fluid from escaping reservoir 5.
Manifold 70, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a T-shaped
body 156 having a receptacle 68 and a coupling 158. T-
shaped body 156 includes a central body 160 having
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laterally opposed flanges 162, 164 positioned at one end
thereof . Receptacle 68 is formed in body 160 and positioned
between flanges 162, 164. Illustratively, receptacle 68 is
a conically-shaped recessed portion of manifold 70, as best
shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Flanges 162, 164 include fasteners
166, 168 configured to attach to a support (not shown)
within cavity 110 to maintain manifold 70 in a fixed
position. It is appreciated that fasteners may be
thumbscrews. Flanges 162, 164 also include rail guides
170, 172 formed at edges 174, 176. Rail guides 170, 172
are configured to engage rails 178, 180 longitudinally
positioned along walls 182, 184 within cavity 110 as shown
in Fig. 6. This ensures manifold 70 is correctly
positioned if removed and replaced.
Manifold 70 is positioned within cavity 110 between
reservoir unit 2 and vaporizer 186 as shown in Fig. 6.
Coupling 158 is the conduit through which fluid exits
manifold 70. Coupling 158 is in fluid communication with
receptacle 68. A tube 188 is positioned in fluid
communication with both coupling 158 and vaporizer 186
thereby allowing fluid to transfer from reservoir 5 into
vaporizer 186.
As shown in Figs. 2 through 5, slide 72 and reservoir
unit 2 are configured to be movably fitted in concert
within cavity 110 engaging and disengaging valve assembly
62. Reservoir unit 2 is movable between a first position
having valve assembly 62 in an open position (see Figs. 2
and 3), a second position that places valve assembly 62 in
a closed position (see Figs. 4 and 5), and a third spaced
apart position (see Fig. 6).
In Figs. 2 and 3, slide 72 is shown in the first
position allowing fluid communication between reservoir 5
and manifold 70. As shown in Fig. 2, slide 72 positions
container 3 in cavity 110 such that tip 154 of plunger 140
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engages base 190 in receptacle 68 of manifold 70. The
interaction between plunger 140 and back wall 190 supplies
sufficient reverse force against the bias of spring 134
causing plunger 140 to move seal 142 to a spaced apart
position from aperture 65 allowing fluid to flow from
reservoir 5 to receptacle 68 according to directional arrow
192 (i.e., the open position). As container 3 engages
manifold 70, handle 116 is pivoted in direction 128 to
cause hooks 124, 126 to engage ledge 130 in apparatus base
194, as shown in Fig. 2. The force exerted on ledge 130 by
hooks 124, 126 maintains the reverse bias against seal 142
maintaining same in the open position.
Manifold 70 being in fluid communication with
vaporizer unit 186, allows transfer of fluid from reservoir
5. Vaporizer unit 186 may be any conventional vaporizer
that includes generally a float housing, a reservoir, and
a vaporizer (all not shown). Illustratively, the float
controls how much and when fluid will enter vaporizer unit
186. As fluid enters vaporizer 186, the reservoir becomes
filled. Once the fluid reaches its full level, the float
blocks tube 188. This prevents additional fluid from
entering vaporizer 186. As fluid is being consumed by the
vaporizer, the fluid level in the reservoir is reduced
causing the float to open tube 188. Fluid is again allowed
to enter the reservoir until the full level is reached.
This process repeats until all the fluid from reservoir 5
is depleted. It is within the scope of the invention that
the vaporization can be accomplished by any conventional
method or device used for vaporizing fluids.
In Figs. 4 and 5, slide 72 is shown in the second
position such that reservoir unit 2 is in a spaced apart
position from manifold 70 thereby preventing fluid
communication between same. (i.e., the closed position.)
When reservoir 5 is depleted of fluid, unit 2 can be moved
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to the second position to be refilled. To accomplish this,
the caregiver grasps handle 116 and moves same in direction
204 to cause hooks 124, 126 to disengage from flange 130.
Slide 72 is then free to move within cavity 110. The
caregiver may, by grasping handle 116 again, move reservoir
unit 2 a distance indicated by reference number 206
sufficient to expose opening 58 on lid 32. When reservoir
5 is moved to this partially spaced apart position, tip 154
of plunger 140 no longer engages manifold 70. Bias from
spring 134 causes seal 142 to become repositioned adjacent
aperture 65, preventing fluid from escaping reservoir 5.
The caregiver may then pour fluid into the now exposed
refill pan 38. Again, this can be accomplished without
having to fully remove reservoir unit 2.
Reservoir unit 2 is also configured to be removable by
the caregiver for cleaning purposes. Slide 72 is removable
after hooks 124, 126 have been disengaged from flange 130
by lifting slide 72 and unit 2 in an upward direction
thereby occupying the space provided in cavity 110. Basin
98 is lifted over base 206. Accordingly, unit 1 can be
fully removed from cavity 110. For cleaning purposes, lid
32 is removable from container 3, whereas container 3 is
removable from slide 72. In addition, valve assembly 62 is
removable from channel 60 and assembly 106 is removable
from slide 72. This allows all the components of
humidifier unit 1 to be cleaned and sterilized
individually.
Humidified air from vaporizer 186 enters the
heater/impeller cavity 220 provided in base 194. (See
Figs. 3, 5 and 6.) The heater/impeller cavity 220 heats
and distributes the vaporized liquid from vaporizer 186.
This humidified air is then circulated about support
assembly 26. A cover 222 is positioned over cavity 220, as
shown in Fig. 6, to restrict the direction with which the
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vapor is fed into assembly 26. Assembly 26 also includes
a deck 198, and a canopy 196. Deck 198 supports an infant
and is placed on surface 200. Canopy 196 shrouds deck 198
creating an isolated environment for the infant. As the
mist is released, it disperses throughout assembly 26
within canopy 196.
Although the present invention has been described with
reference to particular means, materials and embodiments,
from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can
easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the
present invention and various changes and modifications can
be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as set forth in the attached claims.
