METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INTRODUCING A SUBSTANCE INTO A CLOSED SPACE

Abstract: In order to secure a satisfactory intrapulmonary supply of a substance, such as an active substance, to the respiratory organs of a person wearing protective mask or the like, where at least the respiratory organs are separated from the ambient atmosphere, the protective mask (1) has been provided with a system (2) optimized for intrapulmonary supply of the substance. The system can be formed as a part of a protective mask and have a connection or constitute an integral part of the protective mask and be provided with an automatic shut-off valve or the like. In order to achieve an optimized intrapulmonary supply of an active substance it is required that the particle generating unit of the system generates particle of a size appropriate for the purpose, whereby for being optimally respirable it is required that the particles are smaller than 5-6 microns. A dose-dispensing device (5) can be provided to be able to supply the substance with automatic or manual regulation, whereby the dose rate can be adjusted by means of a handle or the like. With this kind of protective mask and an associated medication system it is also possible to supply medicine to persons having medication need and has to wear protective mask.

Description: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INTRODUCING A SUBSTANCE INTO A CLOSED SPACE Technical field The present invention relates to a method and a device for introducing a substance, such as an active substance, into a closed space, such as a protective cover e.g. a protective mask or protective hood, being in a communication with the respiratory system of a person for medical treatment of that person. Prior art It is earlier known to use protective covers, protective masks in order to prevent injuries to e.g. the respiratory organs at accidents in the chemical industry with in that case eventually leaking poisonous gases and corrosive acids or in different military situations at exposure of atomic biological and chemical weapons. The protective mask can be provided with a breathing filter and is usually formed to protect mouth, nose and eyes, whereby at the most the complete body or usually the complete head is protected or at the least only mouth and nose. The protective mask is most often made of a plastic material with a transparent region for the eyes. Dependent on the intended field of use the protective mask can be provided with a breathing filter and often also with a device for liquid supply, or be provided with a connection to a ventilation system or an air respirator}' system. If a person wears a protective mask and gets an acute need for medicine, the medicine has to rapidly be supplied intravenous or intramuscular. For example military staff carries remedy cure to be ' used in case of a nerve gas attack. Description of the invention In order to secure a satisfactory intrapulmonary supply of a substance, such as an active substance to the respiratory organs of a person wearing a protective mask or the like, e.g. a protective dress or a protective hood, or an injury transport system for protective and treatment needs, which hereinafter are called protective mask, in which at least the respiratory organ is separated from the ambient atmosphere by a protective mask or the like, the protective mask has been provided with a system optimized for the intrapulmonary supply of a substance such as an active substance. The structure of the system can be formed with a connection to or/and form an integral part with the protective mask, and be provided with an automatic shut-off valve or the like. In order to attain optimal intrapulmonary supply of active substance it is required that the particle generating unit of the system generates particles with a size distribution appropriately adapted to the purpose. To be optimally respirable it is required that the particles are smaller than 5-6 microns, and when the therapeutical need primarily relates to the first central parts of the bronchial tree or only the nasal mucous membrane, particles smaller than about 12 microns are generated in the system, and the output rate of the amount of medicine of the appropriate substance from the particle generator is sufficiently large to achieve intended medical effect. The system can be formed as a part of a protective mask and be provided with an automatic shut-off valve or the like, which is automatically opened when the dose-dispencing device is applied and is automatically closed when removed. The dose-dispensing device can be provided to be able to supply the substance with automatic or manual regulation, whereby the dose rate can be adjusted by means of a handle or the like. Dependent on the substance the user himself or another person can regulate the supply with the handle. With this kind of protective mask and the associated medication system it is also possible to intrapulmonary supply medicine to persons having medication need, and has to wear protective mask due to an external aggressive or poisonous atmosphere. At e.g. a chlorine gas accident it is with this kind of protective mask possible to, in addition to the supply of breathing air at a maintained separated atmosphere for the injured, also supply appropriate medicine to the respiratory organs for their recovery. Through this kind of protective mask, alternatively protective hood, military staff in military situations can receive medicine supplied to the respiration organs while wearing protective mask, and rescue staff can at professional duty supply medicine to civilians, children and adults, protected by protective mask or protective hood and be able to give them the necessary treatment. In a special application of the invention the reversed relation might be present, namely that a supplied therapeutical substance also has a negative synergetic effect to the surrounding at prevailing conditions, which causes the treatment to preferably be accomplished in combination with supply in an isolated cover in accordance with the present invention. Description of drawings Fig. 1A, B shows a simplified principal diagram of the invention. Fig. 2 shows a military application of the invention. Fig. 3 shows a civil application of the invention. Fig. 4A-C shows the connectability of the system according to the invention. Description of embodiments In fig 1A, B is simplified shown how a protective mask alternatively a protective hood 1 is provided with a system 2 for intrapulmonary supply of an active substance/medicine to the wearer 3 of the protective mask/protective hood and his respiratory organ or to a person who for that purpose is located within a protective hood. The system for the supply of the active substance consists of a connection 4 or an adapted nozzle when locating the system within an appropriate protective cover of the protective mask/protective hood, a dose-dispensing device 5, a control unit 6, a storage 7 for the active substance and a drive source 8. In the figure the system 2 has been shown as being located outside the protective mask/protective hood, but other possible locations are that the system 2 with the components 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 is located within the protective mask/protective hood and/or with functions and/or components that completely or partly are integrated therewith. The components 5 - 8 can have variable relative location and sequence in order to adapt to a certain application. With 9 is a breathing filter or an air connection indicated. The connection 4 for supply of the active substance to the protective hood 1 can be provided with a valve, which manually or automatically can connect the system 2 to the hood 1. When required the system can be connected to the hood, and the valve can be arranged to automatically open for the supply of active substance. At removal of the system, the valve can be arranged to close automatically. At constantly attached dose- dispensing system the connection can be without valve funtion, since the dose- dispensing device within itself can contain a shut-off function. The dose-dispensing device is provided to be able to supply the active substance with automatic or manual regulation, which substance can be present in solid, liquid or gaseous state or mixtures of these states. To the substance supplied from the storage 7 to the dose-dispensing device in solid, liquid or gaseous state, a liquid or a gas will be supplied in the dose- dispensing device, if required for atomizing and transporting the substance, and after eventual flow regulation be supplied through the connection to the hood. With this kind of dose-dispensing device inhalation medicins can be supplied in the form of powder liquid or gas. The substance as such can be stored under pressure in the storage 7, whereby said pressure can be utilized as driving pressure. In the absence of this driving pressure, the drive source 8 is to be used to attain adequate energy supply to the liquid or the gas, supplied to the substance for attaining an atomizing and transporting that is optimized for the purpose. The drive unit can receive its driving power externally, eventually manually or have stored drive power or be integrated. The control unit 6 can manually or automatically control the dose-dispensing device 5, whereby at automatic dose- dispensing, the dose-dispensing can be intermittent, continious or be programmed according to a preselected programme. Depending on the field of application, the control unit can be provided with sensor means, sensing an external environment or as an active sensor in the body system, which means manually or automatically together with a calculation unit, eventually having a memory function, can determine and record the level of the required dosage for attaining the desired effect, and control the dose- dispensing device accordingly. In fig. 2 a military application is shown, where a dose-dispensing device 12 for the supply of an active substance having adequate function, e.g. a medicine or a remedy cure for nerve gas, has been connected to a protective mask 10 with a breathing filter 11. When supply of an appropriate substance is required the device 12 can be manually or automatically activated, whereby substance is supplied directly to the respiratory organs. In fig. 3 a civil application is shown, where a manually controlled dose- dispensing device 15 for the supply of medicine has been connected to a protective hood 13 with a respiratory system 15. In fig. 4A-C a system according to the invention is shown, which is connectable to a protective mask or the like. In fig. 4A a device 16' for particle generation is shown, having connection to alternative drive units such as compressor 17, pressure vessel or hand or foot driven pump. Ing fig. 4B the device 16 for particle generation is shown connected to a pressure vessel 18. In fig. 4C the device 16 or particle generation is shown connected to a battery driven compressor 19 having a filter 20. In addition to what has been said above there are many other applications where a controlled supply of an active substance is required, which methods and devices can be included in the following claims, which claims therefore are not limited to what has been specified in the description and shown in the figures.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for introducing a substance, such as an active substance, into a closed space, such as a protective cover, e.g. a protective mask or protective hood, being in communication with the respiratory system of a person characterized in that to an active substance, such as powder, gas, liquid or mixtures thereof which has been atomized in or from a dose-dispensing device with an amount and size distribution that are optimized for the purpose, a gaseous medium is supplied for the transport thereof to the respiratory system. 2. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the active substance atomized in or from the dose-dispensing device is supplied to the respiratory system in a gaseous medium with an average particle size less than about 12 microns, preferably less than about 6 microns. 3. Device for introducing a substance, such as an active substance, to a closed space, such as a protective cover, e.g. a protective mask or a protective hood being in communication with the respiratory system of a person, characterized by a dose-dispensing device (5,12,15), in or from which an atomized active substance, such as powder, gas, liquid or mixtures thereof with an amount and size distribution that are optimized for the purpose, is provided to be supplied with a gaseous medium for the transport thereof to the respiratory system. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the substance is provided to be supplied to the respiratory system in a gaseous medium with an average particle size less than 12 microns, preferably less than 6 microns. 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a control unit (6) and a drive source (8) are connected to the dose-dispensing device (5) for controlled supply of the substance. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the dose-dispensing device (5), the control unit (6) and the drive source (8) together with a substance storage (7) constitute a compact system (2) connected to the protective hood (1) or protective mask from the outside, from the inside or integrated therewith. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that a system (2) as a device (16) for particle generation is connectable to the protective hood (1) or the protective mask with alternative drive sources. 8. Device according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the control unit (6) is provided to manually or automatically control the dosage of the substance in dependence of concentrations of gas/liquid in the surrounding, sensed by sensing means.

Inventors: ANDERSSON BJOERN-OLOF, ANDERSSON, BJOERN-OLOF
Applicants: AIOLOS MEDICINSK TEKNIK AB, ANDERSSON BJOERN OLOF, ANDERSSON, BJOERN-OLOF
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A61M11
IPC codes: A61M11, A61M15, A61M16, A62B18