Anesthesia Ventilator NO Delivery Layout Without Circuit Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Connecting gas sampling modules and flow sensors to an anesthesia ventilator's rudimentary patient circuit is challenging due to the absence of a gas humidifier, necessitating invasive modifications that damage the circuit.

Innovation Solution

A configuration where the flow measurement device is connected directly to the anesthesia ventilator's gas outlet, with the gas sampling module downstream and an NO injection device between them, using intermediate conduits to facilitate connection without damaging the circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If gas sampling modules and flow sensors are connected to the rudimentary patient circuit of an anesthesia ventilator, then gas sampling and flow measurement can be performed, but the circuit must be invasively modified which damages it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas sampling and flow measurement capabilityVSAvoidcircuit damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary connection system consisting of a flow sensor connector, sampling connector, and intermediate conduits that bridge the gap between the NO delivery device and the anesthesia ventilator's gas outlet. This mediator approach allows gas sampling and flow measurement without directly modifying or damaging the patient circuit, as the connectors interface with the NO delivery device instead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is divided into separate modular components: a flow sensor connector, a sampling connector, intermediate conduits, and tubular connectors. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently and enables easy assembly and disassembly without damaging the patient circuit, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and circuit integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the patient circuit uses a sealed Y-piece without gas humidifier, then the circuit remains intact, but connecting flow sensors and gas sampling modules becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit integrityVSAvoidconnection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flow sensor connector and sampling connector are pre-configured with appropriate interfaces and connection points on the NO delivery device. This preliminary preparation of connection interfaces eliminates the need for invasive modifications to the sealed Y-piece or patient circuit, making the connection process easy and non-damaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is designed to be universally compatible with both conventional medical ventilators and anesthesia ventilators. The flow sensor connector and sampling connector can interface with different ventilator types through standardized connections, maintaining circuit integrity while providing ease of operation across multiple device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If intermediate conduits and tubular connectors are used to connect flow sensor and sampling module, then circuit damage is avoided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit damage preventionVSAvoidconnection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system employs a nested structure where tubular connectors are integrated into the flow sensor connector and sampling connector assemblies. The intermediate conduits connect to these nested components, creating a compact hierarchical arrangement that minimizes the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall connection process while preventing circuit damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4678212A1Installation for the supply of no comprising a no delivery device and an anesthesia ventilator
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 INOSYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP4678212A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678212A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4678212A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an installation (100) for supplying a gas mixture containing NO to a patient, comprising an NO delivery device (1) and a medical ventilator (50), an NO injection device (24), a flow metering device (25), and a gas sampling module (61). The medical ventilator (50) is an anesthesia ventilator (150) comprising a gas outlet (151) to which the flow metering device (25) is connected. The NO injection device (24) is arranged downstream of the flow metering device (25), and the gas sampling module (61) is arranged downstream of the NO injection device (24), at a distance (D) of at least 30 cm.