An Improved Inhaling Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 20th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Inhaling Apparatus.
I, THEOPHILUS GEORGE HUSBAND NICHOLSON 27 Catharine Street Liverpool
Surgeon &c. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An improved inhaler, facepiece, or apparatus for the safer administration of
chloroform constructed of perforated celluloid, leather, papier maché, tin or other
suitable material having attached to the convex extremity a tap connected with an
expanding bag, and high pressure gas cylinder, or to a gasometer containing
oxygen gas. This is conveyed through an elastic pipe with a terminal metal tube
to the face of the patient, and by pressure upon a button the current is regulated
and rendered continuous or intermittent at the will of the chloroformist. I claim
by a process of hyper-oxygenation of the atmospheric air inhaled with the
chloroform to be able to prevent the so called "accidental asphyxia" which is
the principal and real danger to be guarded against in the administration of
chloroform as an anesthetic in surgical practices.
Dated this 18th day of June 1899
T. G. H. NICHOLSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Inhaling Apparatus.
I, THEOPHILUS GEORGE HUSBAND NICHOLSON of 27 Catharine Street,
Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Surgeon, 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 :-
This invention has for its object an oxychloroform or improved inhaling apparatus
whereby chloroform, etcetera, can be inhaled without danger from asphyxia, and the
invention consists essentially in forming a face or mouth piece admitting oxygen,
or in some cases even compressed air (with or without an excess of oxygen) to a
patient's nose and mouth while inhaling chloroform.
The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings, in
which
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A is an ordinary high pressure gas cylinder of oxygen as now sold: A' the key
for turning its square cock: B a pipe therefrom having a cock C for disconnecting
elastic bag from cylinder when filled for use: Da gas bag with protecting net:
E a further pipe therefrom having a cock F for detaching from inhaler when
required to refill. This leads to a bent tube terminating in a nozzle G about
of an inch in front of the lips of the patient, as well to allow of the oxygen being
inhaled through the nose as to prevent its being bitten. Interposed between the
said tube and the cock F is a spring cock with a button H which can be pressed
at will by the finger of the manipulator and thus admit oxygen from the bag. I is
a receptacle constructed preferably of patent leather, or if preferred of papier maché,
sheet lead, tin, vulcanite, celluloid or other suitable material, having one end open
and nicely adjusted to the face. J is a ventilating opening in the same of gauze
wire. K is a sliding tray retaining in position a thick felt-like substance or pad
for containing the requisite quantity of chloroform and to prevent its too rapid
evaporation, capable also of being drawn out for re-charging and of being returned
to the receptacle I through the opening provided for the purpose, as well as for
admitting a further supply of atmospheric air in case oxygen be not used. A
spring, attached to the sides of the tray, permits of its being opened to any

page_text: required extent. L is an eye or ring to keep the tubing in position and prevent
kinking. M is the junction of rubber with rectangular metal tube. This portion
of rubber tubing may be of such length as to keep the bag out of the way.
The mode of action is as follows:-
The bag D is carefully filled from the cylinder A by turning on more or less the
cock A'. The moment the bag is fully or sufficiently expanded, the cock C
previously opened is closed, the cock F having been closed all along. The person
to be chloroformed now has the inhaler placed over the nose and mouth, more or
less closely as may be deemed expedient, as shown by dotted lines in the drawing.
The operator opens the cock F and presses the button on cock H, thus allowing to
the patient as much or as little oxygen through the nozzle G as may be necessary.
By the valve H, the supply of oxygen can be rendered continuous or intermittent
at will. By thus hyperoxygenising the atmosphere in the chamber I, or supplying
oxygen direct to the mouth, "accidental asphyxia" as it is termed, is prevented,
and the principal and greatest danger associated with the administration of
chloroform is done away with.
The receptacle I may be adapted to fit the profile of a child's face as well as
that of an adult. This is effected by providing a telescopic sleeve or face pad on I,
having a mouth formed to fit a different profile from the other. If, therefore, the
mouth of the receptacle I does not fit the profile required, the requisite sized pad
may be added or drawn forward as the case may be, so that the latter covers the
mouth and nose of the patient.
I have described one way in which my invention may be carried into effect, but
it is obvious that, once given the general idea, alterations may be made without
departing from the principle of the invention, e.g. the tray K, instead of sliding as
shown in the drawings, may be hinged and the spring cock H may have any
suitable kind of spring or even an elastic band instead of what is shown on the
drawings.
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 :-
1. An oxy-chloroform inhaling apparatus consisting of a non-porous, semi-
flexible chamber, box or receptacle to be placed over the mouth and nostrils
containing chloroform, in combination with a device for supplying oxygen or
oxygenated air, substantially as described.
2. In combination with the chloroform inhaler and gas bag D containing oxygen,
tube E and a nozzle G, whereby a momentary, continuous or intermittent supply of
oxygen can be ejected at the will of the manipulator.
3. The combination, with a non-porous, semi-flexible chamber, box or receptacle I,
of a telescopic sleeve or face pad substantially as described and unitedly forming
an inhaling device adapted to fit the profiles of different faces.
4. The improved inhaling apparatus taken as a whole substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of March 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, and London, Patent Agents.