Patent Application
20200316415
This invention is in the field of oxygen production
Oxygen is a critical component of medical treatment. This treatment can be chronic or acute. Supplemental oxygen can be lifesaving in emergency situations, although the burden of providing oxygen during transport and in remote areas is substantial in cost, transport, and materials. Oxygen cylinders are heavy and present a number of potential hazards including combustion, detonation and projectile risks. Liquid oxygen systems provide a large amount of gas with a smaller foot print but are heavy, exhaust gas over time, and present a burn risk if handled improperly. In addition, the output of both of these oxygen systems is finite and requires refilling, which presents logistical issues in far forward military operations. Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) and chemical oxygen generators (COGs) have been proposed as a solution. Chemical oxygen generation was first suggested by the work of Joseph Priestly when he discovered oxygen during his work with mercuric oxide. Priestly published his findings in 1775. In 1902, the “Lancet” reported on Kamm's oxygen generator invention for medical use. The device used chlorate cakes and manganese oxide and when heated by a spirit lamp produced approximately 4 cubic ft of oxygen before needing to be replenished with ingredients.
POCs and COGs have been proposed for use in far forward military operations and in disaster and mass casualty scenarios as alternatives to liquid and pressurized gaseous oxygen systems because of the logistics, weight, and explosive risks. Evaluation of the currently available technologies shows that COGs can operate for only 30 minutes or less, depending on the manufacturer and design and the inability to adjust output, makes the devices unsuitable for continuous clinical care or long term operation (Blackman et al., 2016).
More recently there has been interest in employing this technology in areas where providing oxygen in cylinders or in liquid form is logistically difficult or economically prohibitive such as during combat casualty care, disaster situations, and in extreme rural environments in undeveloped countries. Simpler, lighter, and longer lasting oxygen delivery systems are needed for military and mass casualty operations.
The FDA dictates that a COG must provide a minimum of 6 L/min of oxygen flow for a minimum of 15 min (21 CFR part 868.5440). However, the US Army demands a higher output, where the system must provide 8 l/min for at least 20 min (Bill Sovitsky MD joint US Army USMMA Facility). This is an increase of 75% in the total O2 output, a level not attainable by the available COGs. There exists a long felt need for a portable, on-demand oxygen generator.
It is the object of the present invention to present a portable device for oxygen generation comprising:
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the reservoir is configured to hold hydrogen peroxide, a hydrogen peroxide complex or a hydrogen peroxide solution.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the hydrogen peroxide solution is at least 20% hydrogen peroxide.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the reservoir is a cartridge.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the cartridge is attached to the feeding system.
It is another object of the present invention to present the device as presented in any of the above, wherein the cartridge is configured to be instantly replaceable once it gets empty.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented above, wherein the cartridge attachment system enables rapid attaching to the feeding system it.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the cartridge is collapsible, has a collapsible liner, is hard-sided or soft-sided.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented above, wherein the feeding unit is configured to generate pressure on a soft-sided cartridge.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the pressure is generated by a spring, a piston or pneumatic pressure.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the feeding system is a pump, the pump selected from a group consisting of displacement pump, peristaltic pump, syringe pump, piston pump, plunger pump, screw pump and reciprocating pump.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the reactor is configured to decompose hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen.
It is another object of the present invention to present the device as presented in any of the above, wherein the reactor contains a catalyst.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the catalyst comprises an active compound selected from a group consisting of a metal, a metalloid, an alloy of a metal, an alloy of a metalloid, a compound of a metal and a compound of a metalloid.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the catalyst additionally comprises an electronegative element.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the device additionally comprises a catalytic filter.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the catalytic filter comprises at least one catalyst, the catalyst comprises an active compound selected from a group consisting of a metal, a metalloid, an alloy of a metal, an alloy of a metalloid, a compound of a metal and a compound of a metalloid.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the catalytic filter comprises the same catalysts as the reactor.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the cooling system is a heat sink.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the cooling unit additionally comprises at least one fan.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the fan is electric.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the cooling system comprises a condenser.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the cooling system is configured to enable the draining of water, the water condensed by the cooling system.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the draining system is configured to drain the condensed water from at least one point along cooling system.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the water is drained immediately and continuously.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein present the cooling system additionally comprises a receptacle for collecting the condensed water.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the hydrophobic membrane is constructed from a material selected from a group consisting of Polytetrafluoroethylene, Polysulfones and polycarbonate.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the oxygen flow regulator is a heat/mass oxygen (O2) flow meter configured for real-time flow measurement.
It is another object of the present invention to present a device as presented in any of the above, wherein the device additionally comprises an electronic control and display unit, comprising
It is another object of the present invention to present a devise as presented in any of the above, wherein the control unit is based on a designated Printed Circuit Board.
It is another object of the present invention to present a devise as presented in any of the above, wherein the unit sensors are configured to measure at least one perimeter selected from a group consisting of user set O2 flow, exit O2 flow, exit O2 temperature, battery capacity, H2O2 reservoir level, RC pressure and water tank capacity (weight).
It is another object of the present invention to present a devise as presented in any of the above, wherein the unit control is configured to control at least one perimeter selected from a group consisting of Peristaltic Pump RPM, Cooling Fan speed, Water tank drainage solenoid.
It is another object of the present invention to present a devise as presented in any of the above, wherein the control unit comprises feedback circuits for at least one of the parameters as disclosed in any of the above.
It is another object of the present invention to present a devise as presented in any of the above, wherein the control unit is configured to emit an alert in the case of:
It is another object of the present invention to present the control unit additionally comprises a data logger, the data logger configured to record the status of the device.
It is another object of the present invention to present a devise as presented in any of the above, wherein the control unit is configured to communicate with an external system, the communication selected characterized as:
It is another object of the present invention to present the device is powered by a battery unit, the battery is a 12-18V/4-5 Ah Rechargeable.
It is another object of the present invention to present a devise as presented in any of the above, wherein the device additionally comprises a Biofeedback sensor.
It is another object of the present invention to present a devise as presented in any of the above, wherein the biofeedback sensor is configured to detect the peripheral blood O2 saturation level in the patient.
It is another object of the present invention to present a devise as presented in any of the above, wherein the sensor is configured to communicate with the control unit as disclosed above.
It is another object of the present invention to present the control unit is configured emit an alert in the case of low or high O2 patient saturation levels.
It is the object of the present invention to present a method for generating oxygen, comprising steps of obtaining a device and operating the device by:
It is another object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the method additionally comprises a step of generating a flow of the hydrogen peroxide solution into a reactor.
It is another object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the method additionally comprises step of passing oxygen and water vapor through a catalytic filter.
It is another object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the step of cooling the oxygen and water vapor, additionally comprises a step of generating a stream of air, the air generated by a fan.
It is another object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the method additionally comprises a step of analyzing the oxygen flow and temperature of oxygen exiting the cooling system.
It is another object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the method additionally comprises a step of alerting the user in the case of low H2O2 reservoir, low battery, high system pressure, high water tank level and low patient O2 saturation levels.
It is the object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the method further comprises steps of:
It is another object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the method additionally comprises a step of detecting the O2 saturation levels in a patient.
It is another object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the method additionally comprises at least one step of:
It is another object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the method additionally comprises steps of regulating the oxygen flow rate, the regulation controlled by regulating at least one perimeter selected from a group consisting of flow of the hydrogen peroxide solution into a reactor and flow via the flow regulator, the flow regulation determined by at least one perimeter selected from a group consisting of system pressure, reactor pressure, oxygen flow and patient O2 saturation level.
It is another object of the present invention to present a method as presented in any of the above, wherein the step of regulating the oxygen flow rate comprises a step of measuring the oxygen flow rate.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention wherein:
The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, are adapted to remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide compositions and methods.
Unless otherwise stated, with reference to numerical quantities, the term “about” refers to a tolerance of ±25% of the stated nominal value. Unless otherwise stated, all numerical ranges are inclusive of the stated limits of the range.
11) Reservoir
The reservoir 11 holds the Hydrogen peroxide solution. The holder can be single use or refillable. In some embodiments the reservoir is a cartridge that holds the solution and is feed into the system. In some embodiments the reservoir is part of the system and is refiled from another container. The reservoir can be hard or soft-sided. The reservoir must be constructed from inert, non-reactive, medicinal grade materials such as stainless steel or polymers. In some embodiments the reservoir is constricted like a ‘syringe’ i.e. is constructed from a barrel and a plunger (or piston).
In some embodiments the reservoir is a canister capable of holding a solution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in water. The percentage of H2O2 is at least 20% and in some embodiments is 30-60%.
12) Feeding Unit
The feeding unit 12 controls the flow of the solution into the reactor. In some embodiments the feeding unit is a pump. The pump could be a displacement pump, peristaltic pump, syringe pump, piston pump, plunger pump, screw pump or reciprocating pump. In some embodiments, the reservoir 12 is collapsible and the feeding unit is configured to put pressure on the reservoir, pushing the hydrogen peroxide solution into the reactor. In some embodiments, the feeding unit acts as a reciprocating pump with the reservoir forming part of the pump.
The feeding unit can be set to control the flow rate according to various parameters: Hydrogen peroxide solution flow rate, Oxygen flow rate (at the exit of the device), and reaction chamber pressure. In some embodiments the feeding unit additionally comprises a pressure sensor.
13) Reactor
The reactor 13 is constructed from an inert, non-reactive material that can withstand temperatures of at least 100° C. In some embodiments, the solution entered the reactor from the feeding unit through at least one aperture or outlet such as a nozzle or a spray nozzle. The reactor contains a catalyst that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. In most embodiments the catalyst comprises a metal, a metalloid, an alloy of a metal, an alloy of a metalloid, a compound of a metal and a compound of a metalloid. In a preferred embodiment the catalyst is heterogeneous catalyst comprising a metal, a hydrogen molecule and an electronegative element.
The solution mixes with the solid Catalyst particles, instantly breaking (decomposing) the H2O2 to H2O and O2. The reaction is thermogenic, reaching temperatures to 90° C. The gas produced by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide flows out of the reactor and through the catalytic filter 14.
The reaction chamber can additionally comprise a pressure valve. In some embodiments the pressure valve is configured to regulate the pressure in the reaction chamber by releasing excess gas or by regulating the solution flow rate. Regulation of the flow rate by the pressure valve can be conducted directly or by the control unit.
14) Catalytic Filter
The catalytic filter 14 is constructed to decompose any hydrogen peroxide that has been vaporized or distilled by the decomposition reaction. The filter can be constructed of the same catalyst as the reactor or of another catalyst.
15) Cooling Unit and Water Tank
Gas that flows through the filter 14 passes into a cooling unit 15. The cooling unit is configured to cool the gas, condensing the water vapor into liquid water. The cooling unit enables the liquid to be drained into a tank. In some embodiments, the cooling unit enables draining throughout the length of the cooling unit. In some embodiments the liquid is drained instantly and continuously. The water tank holds the water and can be drained.
16) Hydrophobic Membrane
Gas that passes through the cooling unit 15 passes through a hydrophobic membrane (or filter) to remove any water vapor that was not condensed throughout the cooling unit. The filter can be a membrane.
17) Oxygen Flow Regulator
An oxygen flow regulator comprises a flow meter that measures the amount of Oxygen that passes the filter 16. The flow meter can regulate the feeding unit to ensure that the flow of oxygen is continuous and at the required level. The flow regulator can also measure the temperature of the gas to make sure that the oxygen is not too hot for the patient. In some embodiments the flow regulator additionally comprises a valve for regulating the oxygen flow. The valve can be manual, mechanical or electro-mechanical. In some embodiments the valve is controlled by the user, the control unit or directly by the flow meter.
18) Control and Display Unit and Power Source
A display unit can display all of the critical device parameters: oxygen flow, oxygen temperature, water tank content level, reservoir level, system pressure, battery power level etc.
In some embodiments, the system additionally comprises a biosensor. In some embodiments, the biosensor is an O2 blood saturation sensor that is connected to a patient. The sensor can be connected to the control unit to track the saturation level of the patient. In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to control the Oxygen flow rate according to the O2 saturation level of the patient. The control unit can control the oxygen rate by regulating the exit valve or the feeding unit.
The control and display unit can also track the overall status of the system, such as usage status, catalyst status, maintenance etc.
19) Exit Tube
The final oxygen produced exits the device and can then be delivered to a patient or stored for later use.
Reference is now made to
A hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) Cartridge 21: H2O2 [50%-60%] is the substrate of the chemical reaction, producing H2O and O2. The cartridge volume is 750-1000 ml, sufficient to produce a flow of 10 l/min O2 for 30-45 min. The cartridge designed to be instantly replaceable once it gets empty, enabling continues flow of O2.
Peristaltic Pump 22: The peristaltic pump drives the H2O2 from the cartridge to the Reaction Chamber, where the chemical reaction takes place. The pump speed (RPM) is controlled by the Control unit (5)
Reaction Chamber 23 (RC): H2O2 flow into the RC, mixing with the solid Catalyst particles, instantly breaking (decomposing) the H2O2 to H2O and O2. The reaction is thermogenic, reaching to 90° C. and creating a constant Power up to 1,500 W.
Exiting the RC are O2, H2O as steam, and some liquid and gaseous H2O2. The flow of the reaction products (O2, H2O) is directly proportional to the pump RPM (the reaction is saturated with Catalyst). A pressure gauge 24a tracks the pressure in the RC. In cases of excess pressure a pressure valve 24b can release excess gas.
Catalyst Filter 25: The mixed steam exiting the RC is directed into a filter, packed with catalytic particles. Traces of H2O2 (liquid or gaseous) are chemically decomposed to O2 and H2O, preventing any corrosive H2O2 reaching the patient.
Heat Sink Air Cooling System 26a (HS): The mixed steam exiting the Catalyst Filter flows straight into an active air cooling system. While going through the system condensation takes place, water is pouring down through holes at the bottom of each curve within the HS. This arrangement directs efficiently the HS cooling capacity towards low mass steam condensation, rather than cooling high mass water. An Electric Fan 26b (60 W) is used as the active component of the cooling system.
Water is collected into a water tank 27 of 1000 cc, and drained out timely through a solenoid controlled tap.
Hydrophobic membrane 28: Humid O2 exiting the cooling system flows through a hydrophobic membrane, filtering traces of water. Liquid within the O2 pipe can interfere with accurately measuring the O2 flow.
O2 Flow Meter: A Heat 29a and Mass O2 flow 29b meter is used for real-time flow measurement of the gas exiting the device 29c.
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/828,475 filed Apr. 3, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62828475 | Apr 2019 | US |
