Adjustable Radius Cannula for Nasal Seal and Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air flow system cannulas have inefficiencies in design, leading to poor coupling with the patient's nose and cross-contamination issues due to a large radius of curvature and lack of effective exhalation valve management in single-limb ventilator designs.
Innovation Solution
An air flow cannula with a body having a radius of curvature less than 180 degrees, featuring two solid portions, an adjustable portion, nasal posts, and end portions with holes and windows for improved coupling with the tubing system, along with a collapsible or bellows portion for additional flexibility and structural integrity, and a coupling mechanism for secure attachment to the head strap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the cannula body has a large radius of curvature (conventional design), then the cannula is easier to manufacture, but the coupling with the patient's nose is poor and cross-contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the cannula body by reducing the radius of curvature to less than 180 degrees. This parameter change allows the cannula to conform better to the natural anatomy of the patient's nose, improving the seal and preventing cross-contamination while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different radius of curvature values to different portions of the cannula body. The body portion has a reduced radius of curvature for better nasal coupling, while other portions maintain appropriate curvature for structural integrity and comfort. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between fit precision and manufacturing ease.
2Strength
If the cannula body is made rigid for structural integrity, then the cannula maintains its shape, but the cannula cannot adapt to different patient anatomies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cannula body into multiple portions with different structural characteristics. The body portion has reduced radius of curvature for structural integrity, while the tips and sealing portions are designed with appropriate flexibility. This segmentation allows different parts to fulfill conflicting requirements of rigidity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable straps and flexible sealing portions that can adapt to different patient anatomies while the main body maintains its structural integrity. The cannula system transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamically adaptable structure that maintains shape where needed and conforms where required.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the exhalation valve hole is made small to prevent cross-contamination, then less exhaled flow returns to the device, but the exhalation flow cannot be handled efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a valve mechanism as an intermediary between the exhalation flow and the environment. This valve selectively opens and closes to control exhalation flow, allowing efficient handling of large exhalation volumes while preventing cross-contamination by closing during inhalation phases. The valve acts as a mediator that resolves the contradiction between flow handling capacity and contamination prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
An air flow system cannula is disclosed. The air flow system cannula comprises: a body having a radius of curvature less than about 180 degrees, the body including two solid portions and an adjustable portion provided between the two solid portions for additional flex and angular contouring, two nasal posts, and two end portions. The adjustable portion can collapse to a plurality of positions. The air flow system cannula can also include an adjustable frame that provides additional structural integrity. The adjustable frame is inserted into the body, snap-fit to the body, pressed-fit to the body, or directly molded in the body.