A Process of and Apparatus for Comminuting, Mixing, and Administering Liquid Medicines.
Year: 1895

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Date of Application. 12th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1895"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
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A Process of and Apparatus for Comminuting, Mixing, and
Administering Liquid Medicines.
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I, JOHN ROBERTSON, of No. 619 West Fourth Street, in the City of Cincinnati,
County of Hamilton and State of Ohio, United States of America, Physician, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
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My invention relates to a new method of and apparatus for comminuting, mixing
and administering liquid medicines.
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The object of my invention is to provide an 'apparatus for the rapid reduction of
liquid medicines in one or more comminuting flasks to 'their most available and
efficacious form for administration by channels other than the digestive organs; for
combining the reduced products with facility and convenience in a mixing flask' in
a thorough manner witliout impairing their medicinal virtues by precipitation or
chemical decomposition although the mediciues used may be insoluble in each other
or chemically incompatible in the liquid state; for furnishing a convenient means
of administering the reduced and combined products in such a manner as to reach
the disease in the most direct channel with great facility and economy of time and
medicine, and also in combining and applying a variety of different kinds of
remedies in a comininuted state and in any desired proportion to meet the
requirements of varying casos.
I
My invention consists in certain features of construction and in the combination
and arrangement of parts and the method employed in comminuting, mixing and
applying medicines as bereinafter described and pointed out in the claims..
In the drawings ::
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus.
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Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the apparatus partly in vertical
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Beotion.
Fig. 3 is a detail view taken. on the line of Fig. 2:
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Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the lower end of the comminuting tube.
Fig. 5 is an adjustable sleeve which takes over the lower end of the comminuting
tuhe.
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I prefer to construct the apparatus substantially as follows: Two 'vertical
standards A Aresting upon a base B, have secured to their upper ends 'two
uprights a a having sockets a a' in each end through which two parallel horizontal
pipes C and C take and are secured. The pipes C and C are also connected to
each other at a convenient-distance apart by a series of stop-cocks D in such a
mauner as to answer the double purpose of conveying compressed air or gas' from
the upper horizontal pipe C downward and, at the same time, holding the two
horizontal pipes C and C securely in position:
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From below the lower horizontal pipe C and directly beneath each of the stop-
cocks D is suspended a receptacle or comminuting flask E for the reception of liqui
medicines into which descends a small comminuting tube E conveying compressed
air from the upper horizontal pipe C through the stop-cock D into the comminuting
flasks E.
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At or near the center of the lower horizontal pipe C is a fitting J which takes
over pipe C and projects above it in the shape of a hollow-ball-j, and below is
extended to form a shoulder and screw-thread- to which is secured a larger
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page_text: receptacle or mixing flask G into which the comminuted products from the
comminuting flasks E are conveyed through pipe C, received and thoroughly
commingled and the coarser particles deposited and eliminated from the finer and
more desirable comminuted product which is conveyed through an exit tube H to
the projecting, tube I from which the liquid medicines in their comminuted and
commingled state are projected in great volume and with whatever force may be
desirable or necessary to reach the respiratory tract, eyes, ears, rectum, vagina, or
other passages, cavities or surfaces of the body, in the most effective manner. By
carrying the comminuted products into the mixing flask before administering
it makes it impossible to force lover any coarse particles which would cause
irritation if introduced into the trachea or deeper air passages.
I prefer to have the flasks fitted with strong metal caps e permanently cemented
to the necks and having a strong thread by which they are screwed securely in
position and made air tight by means of a gasket. The stop-cocks D and the
fittings to which the flasks are screwed may be made of one piece, the upper end
being finished in a tail which screws into the upper horizontal pipe C¹ making an
air-tight joint. Below the key d the stop-cock expands into a spherical collar d
forming a socket d through which the lower horizontal pipe C is passed and firmly
united. Beneath pipe C'it forms the thread and shoulder to which the flask is
secured. The opening from the upper horizontal pipe C¹ down through the stop-
cock D is small until the spherical collar d' is reached, below which it expands into
a much larger opening, up through which the comminuting, tube is passed
and screwed into its socket just above the spherical collar d' and just below
the key. d.
The uprights a a.which connect the horizontal pipes C and C' at the ends and
into which the vertical standards A. A are inserted are preferably finished with
a. spherical collar a through which the ends of the horizontal pipes are passed;
The ends of the pipes thus left open are closed in the lower pipe by an ornamental
screw plug c at each end and in the upper pipe by an ornamental screw plug c at
one end and a coupling at the other, the plug and coupling c² being inter;
changeable so that the coupling can be attached to either end of the apparatus,
according as, it may, ho most convenient to introduce the compressed air from the
tube O at one side or the other. The closing of the ends of the pipes by screw
plugs the full size of the inside diameter of the pipe is for the purpose of convenience
in cleaning as the plugs can be removed-and- a swab run through the whole length
of each pipe.
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The fitting J to which the central mixing flask G is attached is in the form of a
ball-shaped collar with ball above and shoulder and thread below. The
fitting J. is slipped over the lower horizontal pipe C and secured firmly in
position.
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The ball above has a horizontal opening through it from front to rear as
shown in Fig. 2 in the rear of which is insorted..an exhaling stop-cock K and in
front ainipple L for the attachment of the flexible tube I. From the center of the.
horizontal opening another opening extends downwards, expanding below the
apherical or ball-shaped collar in the same manner as the openings below the stop-
cocks D. Into this opening is inserted exit tube H which descends into the mixing,
flask G. It is screwed into-its, socket just above the ball-shaped collar in such a
manner as to form, (when the stop-cock Kat the rear is closed) a continuous
air-tight passage from the bottom of the mixing flask to the inouth-piece N on the
outer end of the projecting tube.
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The stop-cock K shown in Fig. 3 is to permit the patient to exhale without
removing the mouth-piece while, the comminuted medicines are being administered.
The openings in all the fittings, to which the flasks are screwed, are all largo.
enongh to allow free circulation of the comminuted product around the tubes
where they pass through the necks of the flasks and upward through the lower
horizontal pipe C to where they enter the sockets.
The exit tube H in the mixing flask is a plain tube with a small hole ½ in.

page_text: the bottom and other small holes in the sides near the bottom, to allow tho
ingress of air and medicines in the comminuted state.
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The comminuting tubes F in the comminuting flasks E are so constructed as
to reduce the liquid medicines' to infinitesimal particles. This is accomplished
in the following manner The comminuting tube F is closed at the lower end
and a groove fcut on tlie outside. From the bottom of this groove fat a
convenient distance from the eud' of the tube a small hole is drilled at the
proper angle to the central opening of the tube F. An adjustable sleeve f³ is
then fitted over the end of the tube so that the top of the sleeve is even
with the hole f¹ in the groove' f. The 'addition of this sleeve transforms the
groove into a closed canal having its lower opening at the bottom of the tube
and its upper opening forming a junction at an acute angle with the hole f¹in
the tube F. Thus the air introduced into the tube F from the stop-cock D..
above, passes down, and out of the tube at an upward angle through hole, as-
indicated by the arrow, across the upward opening of the canal. The lower
end of the tube F being immersed in the liquid M a partial vacuum is formed in
the canal through which the liquid rises until it comes in contact with the current
of air by which it is violently thrown out in a fine spray against the sides of the
flasks E.
The upper end of the sleeve f is cut at a blunt angle so that by turning it in
either direction, the edge can be raised or lowered where it crosses. the groove fin
order to so adjust it as to make the canal f³ and the hole f' in tlie groove form an
exact intersection.
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The advantages which 1 secure in constructing the tube in this way, or
substantially this way, are efficiency of operation obtained by the exact adjustment
of the hole f¹ and canal f so that their outlets form but one opening and unite at.
an acute angle to form the most complete vacuum possible by such means, and at
the same time economizing all the force of the air. It thus produces a. better spray
at a lower pressure and with less volume of air than any heretofore made. The
adjustment of the sleeve ƒ³ is easily accomplished by simply turning it in either
direction. Another advantage of this tube is simplicity and cheapuess of
construction. There are no screw-threads, no small tubes or points and no fine
canals of any length. No great accuracy is necessary in the construction of any
part. The length of the groove, the angle of the hole, the length of the sleeve and
the angle of its upper end may all váry to almost any extent without impairing the
efficiency of operation, because the relation of the openings to each other upon
which the efficiency of operation depends, is not permanently fixed in the construction
of the parts, but is secured by the ready adjustment of these parts to each other, by
the simple operation of turning the sleeve. I am also enabled to clean the tubes
with ease and facility. If the openings become clogged by sediment in the
medicine or from any other cause, there are no long narrow canals to be cleared..
The groove cau be thoroughly cleared in its whole length by passing a wire through
it perpendicularly, or by the removal of the sleeve while the hole in the tube being
short, extending only from the outer to the inner wall of the tube at an upward
angle of about forty-five degrees and less than ninety degrees; is easily cleared by
the insertion of the end of a small wire.
The flasks being suspended are easily removed for filling, cleaning, etc. without
disturbing the tubes and is one of the convenient and desirable features of my
invention.
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The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Compressed air, oxygen or other
gas, as may be desired, is introduced at the end of the upper horizontal pipe C
through tube O, and immediately passes through the whole length of pipe C. On
any one of the stop-cocks D being opened, the compressed air passes down through.
the comminuting tube into the comminuting flask E directly beneath, and
escapes through the small hole fat au'upward angle carrying with it a portion of
the medicine from the bottom of the comminuting flask, which it comminutes. by
forcing it violently outwards in the form of fine spray. The pressure accu.niilated
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page_text: in the comminuting flask by the expansion of the compressed air carries the
comminuted medicine in the form of a white cloud up through the neck of the
comminuting flask into the lower horizontal pipe C through which it passes to
the center of the apparatus and down to the bottom of the large mixing flask, on
the outside of the central or exit tube H, as indicated by the arrows, where the
coarser particles are deposited; the accumulating pressure then forces the fine
comminuted, product through the openings in the sides and bottom of the exit
tube H through which it passes upward and out through the projecting tube I in
voluminous, clouds.
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When two or more stop-cocks D are turned on at the same time, the comminuting
process takes placo simultaneously in all the flasks to which the compressed air is
thus admitted, and the comminuted products all pass over simultaneously and in the
manner already described into the mixing flask, where they are thoroughly mixed
by the currents of air before escaping through the exit tube H.
The amount of air introduced into each flask can be controlled by the keys d
and the amount of comminuted product forced over into the mixing flask,
regulated accordingly, so the dose can be made mild or strong as desired and the
comminuted product from two or more comminuting flasks mixed in any desired.
proportion.
The comminuting process can take place and the product be administered under
any desired pressure but as the process depends upon the expansion of air in the
comminuting flasks the pressure in the inlet horizontal pipe C¹ and in the
comminuting tubes F must be greater than in the comminuting flasks E, the outlet
pipe C, the mixing flask, G, exit tube H and projecting tube I...
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
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1. A comminuter having a compressed air inlet pipe communicating with one or
more comminuting tubes, each taking into separate comminuting Alasks communi-
cating with a projecting tube, substantially as described...
2.,A,comminuter having an inlet-pipe communicating by one or more interposed
stup-cocks with suspended comminuting tubes, taking into suspended comminuting
flasks communicating with a projecting tube, substantially.us described...
3., A comminuter having an inlet-pipe communicating with one or more suspended
comminuting tubes having comminuting holes of smaller area than any of the
subsequent openings in the flasks E, pipe C, mixing, flask exit and projecting tubes
into which the comminuted product is projected to permit the expansion of air
therein, substantially as described.
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4. A comminuter having two or more comminuting receptacles provided with
comminuting tubes, in combination with a mixing receptacle, substantially as
described.
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5. In a comminuter one or more comminuting flasks each having a comminuting
tube therein supplied with compressed air or other gas as desired, each comminuting
flask communicating with a nixing flask having a suspended. removable exit tube
communicating with a projecting tube, substantially as described..
6. The combination in a comminuter, of a comminuting flask with a comminuting
tube having its lower end immersed in liquid said, tube being provided with a hole
leading from the vertical opening in the tube to and forming an acute angle with a
caual (with which said tube is provided) leading from the liquid, substantially as
described..
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7. In a comminuter, a comminuting tube having the lower end of the vertical
opening closed, suid tube being provided with a hole from the central vertical
opening to a groove on the outside at an angle of less than, ninety degrees there-
with aud an adjustable sleeve taking over the tube thereby transforming the groove
and providing the tube with.a canal leading. from the liquid in the comminuting
Hask to said hole, substantially..as.described..
4;
f
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page_text: 8. A comminuting tube F having groove f, hole f¹ opening therefrom at an acute
angle upwardly, sleeve, canal arranged and operating, substantially as
described.
9. In a comminuter, a comminuting tube closed at its lower end said tube having
a groove on the outside thereof, an adjustable sleeve having its upper end cut at a
blunt angle taking over the lower end of said tube thereby forming a canal from
the liquid to a hole extending from the central vertical opening at an acute angle
to said canal, substantially as described.
10. In a comminuter a compressed air inlet-pipe communicating with a stop-
cock having attached thereto a comminuting flask and a suspended tube closed at
its lower end, said tube having a hole extending therefrom at an upward angle to
a groove on the outside of the tube and a sleeve taking about the lower end of the
tube covering the groove and forming a canal communicating with the liquid to be
comminuted, substantially as described.
11. In a commiuuter the tube 0, coupling ², pipes C and C³, stop-cocks D,
comminuting tubes F, comminuting flasks E, mixing flask G, tube H, fitting J
stop-cock K, nipple L, projecting tube I and mouth-piece N, all conibined and
adapted to operate substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.
12. In a commiuuter, the combination of the base B, standards A A, uprights a a,
pipes C and C, having plugs c, c¹ and coupling e, stop-docks D, flasks E and G,
tubes F, H and I and stop-cock K, substantially as described.
13. The herein described process of treating medicines, consisting first, in
reducing different liquid medicines by mechanical means and without chemical
reaction to infinitesimal particles in separate receptacles, secoud, commingling such
particles in a mixing flask, third, depositing the coarser particles therein, and fourth,
conveying the refined and commingled particles to the patient, for the purpose
specified.
14. The herein described process of comminuting, mixing and administering
medicines, consisting, first, in reducing different medicines to infinitesimal particles
simultaneously in separate flasks, second, in commingling the comminuted products in
a mixing flask, and, third, applying such commingled product under pressure to the
patient, for the purposes specified.
15. The herein described process of comminuting, mixing and administering
medicines, consisting, first, in reducing different liquid medicines to infinitesimal
particles in separate receptacles, second, in conveying the products simultaneously
to a mixing receptacle where the coarser particles are eliminated by deposition while
the refined and commingled particles are held in suspension and projected through
tubing under pressure to the patient, for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 10th day of November 1905
JOHN ROBERTSON,
By Herbert Haddan & Co.,
18 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.