Angled Venturi Nozzle for Nasal Dryness in Oxygen Inhalers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalation devices, such as Venturi masks, cause discomfort and tissue dryness due to direct high flow gas delivery, leading to nasal bleeding, bronchial spasms, and inaccurate oxygen flow rates due to backpressure issues, especially in patients with COPD.
Innovation Solution
A device with a nose hood and chamber configuration that directs gas flow at an angle of 35 to 70 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis, isolating the Venturi jet nozzle from the patient's breathing orifices, reducing backpressure and preventing nasal dryness, while allowing for adjustable oxygen concentration and flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high flow rates are used to deliver oxygen through Venturi masks, then oxygen delivery efficiency is improved, but nasal tissue dryness and cracking worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the Venturi jet nozzle from a direct anterior orientation to an angled orientation (35-70 degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis of the chamber, directing the gas jet laterally toward the side of the patient's nose rather than directly at the breathing orifices. This dimensional change in jet direction eliminates direct impingement on nasal tissues while maintaining effective oxygen delivery through lateral air entrainment.
2Speed
If Venturi jet nozzle is positioned perpendicular to breathing orifices, then gas flow velocity is improved, but backpressure effects worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the Venturi jet nozzle within the chamber, orienting it at a specific angle (35-70 degrees) rather than symmetrically perpendicular to the breathing orifices. This asymmetric configuration allows the high-velocity jet to generate effective air entrainment while the angled orientation prevents direct backpressure from breathing maneuvers from affecting the jet valve operation, thereby maintaining flow rate accuracy.
3Quantity of substance
If gas flow is directed directly at breathing orifices, then oxygen concentration delivery is improved, but patient comfort worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the angled chamber configuration as an intermediary between the Venturi jet nozzle and the patient's breathing orifices. The chamber directs the high-velocity oxygen jet at an angle, allowing air entrainment to occur within the chamber space before the mixed gas reaches the patient. This intermediary arrangement maintains effective oxygen concentration delivery while eliminating direct impingement discomfort on the patient's nasal tissues.
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 device provides comfortable, prolonged use by minimizing nasal dryness and bleeding, maintaining accurate oxygen concentration during breathing maneuvers, and preventing backpressure effects, ensuring consistent oxygen delivery without discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention utilizes a Venturi mask system, which employs a jet nozzle, referred to as the Venturi jet nozzle, to generate high velocity gas flow
Implementation Method 2
As the increased velocity achieved by the Venturi jet orifice acts on the incoming source gas, it creates an area of reduced pressure immediately post the exiting source gas jetted out—this causes air entrainment mixing with the source gas oxygen
Implementation Method 3
The increased source gas flow velocity through such restricted aperture causes a pressure drop. This generates a greater pressure drop immediately existing at the restricted region, allowing the nozzle to entrain ambient air and/or gases by such pressure drop
Data Source
AI summary
An inhalation device which entrains air to modify a source gas, such as pure oxygen, down to different selected levels of lower gas concentrations, with a high total gas flow being achieved for inhalation. The inhalation device allows eating and suctioning without interference while maintaining a constant uninterrupted gas supply at high volumes. The inhalation device is adapted for disposal adjacent to the nose and mouth of a person, and includes a nose hood connected to a chamber. The chamber has a central portion defining a longitudinal axis orientated perpendicular to the nose hood and also defining an opening aligned with and facing the nose in a configuration such that gas is inhalable from the central portion to the nose without the gas directly impacting the breathing orifices of a patient wearing the device.