Adjustable Tracheostoma Valve with Dynamic Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracheostoma valves require a compromise diaphragm that works best for an individual patient's average state of exertion, as no single diaphragm has the correct mechanical characteristics to function ideally across different patients and varying exertion and respiration levels, limiting their effectiveness in all situations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable tracheostoma valve with a valve disk attached to an air-permeable membrane that deflects under pressure to control air flow, allowing for customizable pressure settings to direct air to the pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech, featuring a movable second body relative to a first body with a rim surface and a bore, and an air-permeable elastic membrane that changes positions to open or close the passageway based on applied pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single diaphragm is used in the valve, then the device structure is simple, but the valve cannot adapt to different patients and varying exertion levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the diaphragm adjustable rather than fixed. The second body can be moved relative to the first body to change the distance between the rim surface and the disk, thereby dynamically adjusting the pressure at which the valve closes. This allows the same valve to adapt to different patients and exertion levels without requiring multiple different valve designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter at which the valve closes by adjusting the mechanical configuration. By moving the second body to different positions, the distance between the rim surface and the disk changes, which directly alters the pressure threshold for valve closure. This enables customization of the valve's operational characteristics to match individual patient needs.
2Ease of operation
If the diaphragm is positioned to close at lower pressure, then speech is easier to produce, but normal breathing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable positioning of the second body allows dynamic optimization of the pressure threshold. The valve can be configured to close at pressures that enable easy speech production while maintaining adequate opening for normal breathing, and this configuration can be adjusted based on the patient's specific needs and condition.
3Reliability
If the diaphragm is positioned to close at higher pressure, then breathing is maintained, but speech production becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By adjusting the position of the second body, the pressure threshold parameter can be optimized to achieve the right balance between breathing reliability and speech ease. The adjustable mechanism allows fine-tuning of this critical parameter.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable valve effectively directs air for speech while allowing for inhalation and exhalation, with customizable pressure settings to accommodate varying patient needs, enhancing speech capabilities without manual occlusion of the stoma.
Implementation Method 1
The disk is attached to an air permeable membrane, which is configured to deflect under pressure to move the valve disk to a position that closes the passageway in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech
Implementation Method 2
an air permeable elastic membrane that is deflectable between a first position and a second position
Implementation Method 3
The second body is movable relative to the first body to advance the bore toward and away from the passageway of the first body... When the cap is at second position in the housing, the air permeable elastic membrane is configured to deflect a second amount when a second pressure is applied
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable tracheostoma valve is disclosed. The adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a passageway for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve disk is provided in the passageway. The disk is moveable to allow for inhalation and exhalation through the passageway and is configured to close in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.