Adjustable Tracheostoma Valve for Airflow and Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Total laryngectomy surgery leads to functional changes in tracheal and lung mucosa due to dry, cool air, resulting in increased mucus production, coughing, and chest infections, and existing solutions do not adequately address the need for hands-free voice production and effective heat and moisture management.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable tracheostoma valve with a housing having two openings, a closure member, and a flexible membrane, which includes a heat and moisture exchanger to manage airflow and redirect exhaled air through a voice prosthesis, allowing for adjustable airflow and hands-free voice production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed tracheostoma valve is used, then the structure is simple, but the airflow cannot be adjusted to suit different users' needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the housing adjustable rather than fixed. The upper housing portion can be moved axially relative to the lower housing portion, changing the position of the closure member and flexible membrane to adjust airflow characteristics. This allows the valve to adapt to different users' respiratory needs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Extent of automation
If the closure member is positioned close to the second opening, then the valve closes easily for voice production, but airflow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable housing allows dynamic positioning of the closure member relative to the second opening. Users can adjust the distance between the closure member and the opening to optimize the balance between automatic closure capability and airflow resistance, accommodating different respiratory flow rates and pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter (distance between closure member and opening) to control the valve's performance characteristics. By adjusting this parameter, the system optimizes both the automatic closure response and the airflow resistance to match user needs.
3Extent of automation
If the flexible membrane is made more flexible, then the valve responds better to airflow changes, but the closure member may not seal properly
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable housing enables changing the operational parameters of the flexible membrane by modifying the closure member's position. This adjustment optimizes the membrane's flexibility response while maintaining adequate sealing pressure, ensuring both responsive closure and reliable sealing.
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 tracheostoma valve effectively reduces mucus production, prevents lung alveoli collapse, and enhances lung function by maintaining humidity and resistance, while enabling hands-free voice production through automatic closure of the valve during exhalation.
Implementation Method 1
when sufficient air pressure through the valve causes the valve to close and redirect the exhaled air
Implementation Method 2
Daily use of a heat and moisture exchanger (hereinafter HME) reduces loss of heat and moisture from the tracheal and bronchial mucosa and lungs
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a housing having a first opening that is adapted to open to a tracheostoma and a second opening that opens to ambient. The housing includes a lower housing portion defining the first opening and an upper housing portion movably attached to the lower housing portion and defining the second opening. A closure member is disposed in the housing and adapted to close the second opening. A flexible membrane includes a first region connected to the closure member and a plurality of spiral shaped legs extending from the first region and connected to the housing. The upper and lower housings are axially adjustable relative to one another to adjust an amount of air flow through the valve that would cause closure of the closure member. A heat and moisture exchanger is disposed in the housing between the first opening and the second opening.