Improvements in Inhalers.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 11th Nov.,
1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Inhalers.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM KROHNE of 8, Duke Street, Manchester Square,
London, W. Surgical Instrument Maker, 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 relates to improvements in appliances for use in ether inhalation,
and has for its object to provide an arrangement by which the ether can be
administered in small and measured doses, completely under the control of the
operator.
The instrument consists of an inhaler of the well known cup form, which fits
closely over the mouth and nose preventing any inspiration excepting through the
proper channels.
A tube leads into the cup and transmits ether vapour from a
vaporizer of the kind sometimes used in chloroform administration, in which air is
forced through a quantity of ether from a pressure ball carrying a certain amount
In order that ether may
of ether in the form of vapour at each compression.
have the desired effect of producing unconsciousness, it is generally found necessary
owing to its want of strength as an anesthetic to slightly asphyxiate the patient
by causing him to breathe the same air over again, while the ether is administered
until unconsciousness supervenes. For this purpose I provide on the end of the
inhaler, or at any other convenient part a tube, over which the mouth of a rubber
or like bag is placed. The air will thus be expired into the bag and will be
inspired at the next breath, the same air being used while the inhaler is held in
position.
In order that a small quantity of fresh air in regulated proportions can be
allowed to enter the inhaler if desired, an aperture is formed preferably of V shape,
in the stem or tube of the inhaler, and a cap or outer tube is fitted over this also
with an aperture. This cap can be turned so as to completely cover the first
mentioned hole, or can uncover it to any desired extent, regulating exactly the
proportion of pure air to be mixed with the air in the inhaler and bag.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a section of the inhaler with bag attached,
Figs. 2 & 3 are elevations of part of the appliance showing the device for
allowing regulated quantities of pure air to be admitted, and Fig. 4 is a
section of the same part.
cross
A is the cup, the edges of which follow the configuration of the face at the part
a formed of rubber
to which it is fitted, and are furnished with a pneumatic pad
with a sleeve which is slipped over the body of the cup, holding the pad in place
on the edge. The pad is inflated to the required degree by means of a tube
A soft
furnished with a valve or cap, or simply tied to prevent escape of the air.
and resilient pad is thus formed which will give to any irregularities and completely
cut off the mouth and nose from direct communication with the external atmosphere
without undue pressure on the face.
The ether is supplied in the form of vapour through the tube B opening into
the side or end of the cup. At the end, either in line with the cup as shown, or
at any suitable angle, the tube C is furnished of large diameter to allow of the air
passing to and fro without any obstruction. This tube projects some distance and
is furnished with a cap or cage c at the end of wire or open work which is of larger
diameter. This serves to hold the mouth of the bag D more securely on the tube,
the mouth being pushed over the said cap on to the tube, preventing any escape
of air.

page_text: In the tube C close to the cup is formed a wedge shaped hole c', and the cover
or outer tube E, with hole E', is placed over this. This cover is kept in place by
a pin on the tube C and two pins e serve to limit its motion, allowing it to turn
far enough to completely open or close the aperture ¹. Other means of fastening
this cover may be employed, but the one shown is simple and effective.
In order that the extent to which the aperture is uncovered may be readily seen,
an indicator is provided consisting of a pointer e¹ moving over a scale a' marked on
the annular plate by which the tube is fixed to the cup A. The hole can thus be
uncovered to any predetermined amount. Projections are provided on the cover E
for convenience in turning.
It will be seen that when the ether is supplied by the arrangement before
described, on a certain quantity being given in the form of vapour, it will be
completely inhaled, as the air is not supplied fresh at each breath. A very small
amount added at each respiration will be sufficient to keep the air in the bag
properly supplied, and on the bottle indicating that a certain quantity has been
used, it will be known that this quantity has been actually used by the patient,
instead of, as in the ordinary method in which a sponge carrying the ether is
used, an uncertain proportion.
After the patient has been rendered unconscious, the inhaler can if desired be
kept in position and fresh air in regulated amount be supplied by the device above
described, thus allowing the operator whenever it is considered necessary to supply
a minute dose of the ether by pressing the ball. In cases where the mouth, nose
or throat is being operated upon, and where it is not convenient to hold the inhaler
in place, the method of supplying the ether allows of the use of the tube, known in
connection with other anæsthetics, placed in the mouth or nostrils, and supplied
with vapour from the liquid.
In the drawings the tube C is shown as being fixed to the inhaler, but it is clear
that it may be made detachable by a bayonet joint or otherwise. In a Patent
No. 10876 dated 1890 granted to Charles William Krohne and Henry Frederick
Sesemann, a similar form of inhaler is used, with an indicating device to show
the condition of the breathing. The tube and bag described in the present
Specification may be fitted to that inhaler, thus forming a combination instru-
ment, which will serve for both chloroform and ether inhalation, the indicator
being used for chloroform, with free entrance of air, and the bag and tube for
ether.
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. In an ether inhaling device, the combination with a cup shaped inhaler of
a tube projecting from it, a bag with the mouth placed over the said tube to
receive the expired air and a supply tube through which ether vapour is passed
substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
2. In an ether inhaling device, the combination with a cup shaped inhaler having
a supply tube, through which ether vapour is passed, of a tube projecting from the
said inhaler having an aperture in the side, a cover or outer tube also perforated
and arranged to turn partly round, covering or uncovering the first aperture, and a
bag fitted onto the end of the main tube, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
3. The improved inhaling device comprising the cup shaped inhaler, supply tube,
bag and connections with adjustable air supply and indicator, all constructed and
operating substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 6th day of October 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.