Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Vaporizing or Diffusing Medicines and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Vaporizing or
Diffusing Medicines and the like.
I, ALFRED WASSMUTH of Barmen, Rhenish Prussia, Germany Manufacturer,
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 a new or improved inhaling apparatus in which the
pharmaceutical solution used joins the air of the room in such a way that whilst the
air is thoroughly impregnated no visible precipitates appear.
The method of working the apparatus is as follows-The pharmaceutical solution
is forced by means of a pump, into the inhaling apparatus which is provided with a
diffuser or spraying device, and it issues from the apparatus in the form of a fine
cold vapour, which is discharged in the room along with atmospheric air drawn in
through a pipe connected with the diffusing device. The fresh air becomes
intimately mixed with the medicated vapour.
The principal novelty of the arrangement is, that the air, which joins the
pharmaceutical solution, is taken from the atmosphere instead of from the room in
which the solution is being diffused.
Openings are preferably made through the lower part of the walls or the floor of
the room, in which the inhaling apparatus is placed, so that, when the fresh air,
which is impregnated with pharmaceutical solution and is heavier than the air
being used in the room, is admitted, it will press the vitiated air out through the
openings in the floor or walls. The inhaling apparatus is so constructed that any
liquid not quite vaporized will be conducted back again into the receptacle of the
pharmaceutical solution.
The apparatuses used are represented on the drawings annexed, whereon:―
Fig. 1 shows the arrangement of the apparatuses as used for inhaling.
Figs. 2 & 3 show in part section and plan the interior construction of the
apparatus for diffusing the medicated vapour.
Fig. 4 shows in part section a modified construction of the same.
The arrangement for inhaling, as represented at Fig. 1, is as follows:--
A pump a, moved by any mechanical power, forces the pharmaceutical solution-
under a pressure of from 5 to 7 atmospheres, out of the vessel (which is filled
through the funnel c), through the pipe d to the diffusing or dissipating apparatus.
The solution issuing through the spraying nozzle d' (Fig. 2) impinges against the
apex of the cone c and is forced outwards towards the space or opening g around
the diffuser from whence it issues in the form of a cold vapour.
At the same time
a constant stream of fresh air is inducted through the pipe f from the outer
atmosphere. This inducted air combines and issues along with the medicated
vapour.
The quantity of fresh air admitted to the room in this manner, would be 700 to
800 cubic meters per hour. The vitiated air expired by the patient will be pressed
downwards and out through the holes k in the walls. In this way, the air will be
renewed ten to fifteen times according to the size of the room and this renewal will
take place without perceptible draughts.
As there, is such a constant and thorough renewal of air.any number of patients
may be allowed to inhale at the same time in the room, without the air being
seriously deteriorated.
The patients inhale the impregnated air quite naturally. They may sit, lie, walk
about or even sleep, while the pharmaceutical solution along with the air will enter
their lungs

page_text: Any condensed or superfluous solution collects in the bottom of the diffuser and
flows through the pipe i back to the vessel..
The inhaling apparatus used in. Fig. 1 is shown to an enlarged scale at Figs. 2
and 3, where, as before described, the pharmaceutical solution is forced through the
piped to the diffusing apparatus, where it impinges against the conical diffuser c¹
and is divided into minute particles;, which combines and issue. with the atmospheric
air at . The pipe f conducts the fair, from outside the building into the case of
the distributor or diffuser.41
The apparatus represented at Figs. 2 and 3 may be modified as shown at Fig. 4.
In this view, Fig. 4, the dissipating apparatus consists of a case a¹, made of any
material and which is connected with the outside air by the pipe . Between the
case a¹ and the pipe there is a knee or bend, the object of which is to collect any
superfluous or condensed liquid and allow it to pass back through the pipe d to the
forcing pump.
The spray nozzle e¹, which is connected with the force pump by the pipe f',
enters the vertical part 2 of the pipe above the bend. When using the 'apparatus
the liquid is forced under considerable pressure along the pipe in the direction
of the arrow and through the spray nozzle e¹. As it issues from nozzle e', it strikes
against the 'walls of the funnel g¹ and the conical cap ¹, driving, at the same time,
the fresh air through the funnel. The large particles of the solution 'drop down
to the bottom of the syphon bend so as to be carried away by 'the pipe d¹ back to
the force pump, while the fine particles of the solution are forced out of the
apparatus at i by 'the upward rush of air.
After the apparatus has been started the room is soon filled with the 'vapour and
the air in the room becomes like mist.
The solution combines with the air so thoroughly that no perceptible precipita-
tion takes place.
When used for disinfecting purposes the apparatus gives these advantages vit. :-
It delivers the disinfectant in a very finely divided state and distributes it into
every corner of the room.
Having: now, particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my, said
invention and in what manner, the same is, to be performed, I declare that what: F
claimsis.
1. An inhaling apparatus wherein the 'pharmaceutical solution is forced under
pressure to a diffusing device where it: becomes intimately mixed with a supply of
fresh air and ultimately issues in the form of vapour into the room where the
inhaling is taking place, substantially as herein before described with reference to
the drawings annexed.
2. The diffusing or spraying device constructed substantially 'as herein before
described, with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 of the annexed drawings:
3. The modified construction of the diffusing device, substantially as hereinbéfore
described with reference to Fig. 4 of the annexed drawings.
4. The combination with the herein before described inhaling, apparatus, of holes'k
made in the lower part of the walls or in the Hoor of the room for the exit of
vitiated air, substantially as herein before set forth.
Dated, this 19th day of. June 1891..
HAD FITZPATRICK,
Glasgow and London, Agent?: