Asymmetrical Nasal Interface for Infant Breathing Gas Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal interfaces for delivering breathing gases face challenges such as high motor speeds required for flow generation, potential for undesirably high static pressure when occluded, and limited availability of sized nasal delivery elements, leading to inefficiencies in dead space clearance and pressure delivery.
Innovation Solution
The use of an asymmetrical nasal interface with asymmetrical nasal delivery elements, where the first prong and second prong differ in size and configuration, allows for an asymmetrical flow of gases, reducing resistance and enabling efficient dead space clearance and pressure delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If symmetrical nasal delivery elements are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the resistance to flow is high and dead space clearance is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing a nasal delivery element where the first lumen has a larger cross-sectional area than the second lumen. This asymmetric configuration creates different flow characteristics in each lumen, optimizing dead space clearance efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through a relatively simple tubular structure with different internal dimensions.
2Productivity
If high motor speeds are used to deliver desired flow rate, then the flow rate to patient is sufficient, but the static pressure increases to undesirable levels when occluded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the nasal delivery element by providing lumens with different cross-sectional areas. The larger first lumen reduces flow resistance and allows adequate flow delivery at lower motor speeds, thereby reducing the harmful static pressure buildup when the interface becomes occluded.
3Adaptability or versatility
If smaller diameter prongs are used for child and infant, then the interface fits the nares, but the resistance to flow increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow path into multiple lumens within the nasal delivery element. The first lumen has a larger cross-sectional area to reduce flow resistance, while the second lumen has a smaller cross-sectional area. This segmentation allows the overall device to fit small nares while maintaining adequate flow characteristics through the larger first lumen.
4Productivity
If larger diameter prongs are used, then dead space clearance is improved, but the leak increases and pressure delivery to patient decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different cross-sectional areas in different lumens at different locations. The first lumen has a larger cross-sectional area optimized for dead space clearance, while the second lumen has a smaller cross-sectional area that maintains adequate sealing and pressure delivery to the patient.
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 asymmetrical nasal interface achieves desired flow rates with lower backpressure and motor speeds, improves dead space clearance, reduces peak expiratory pressure, and enhances patient comfort, particularly for infants.
Implementation Method 1
asymmetrical nasal delivery elements for a nasal interface to deliver respiratory gases to a patient via an asymmetrical flow
Data Source
AI summary
A nasal interface 100 has a cannula body 118 with a first prong 111 and a second prong 112. The first prong 111 and the second prong 112 are asymmetrical to each other. A gases manifold 120 has a gases inlet 121. The first prong 111 and the second prong 112 are in fluid communication with the gases inlet 121. The gases manifold 120 is reconfigurable relative to the cannula body 118 between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration corresponds to the gases manifold 120 being inserted into the cannula body 118 from a first side. The second configuration corresponds to the gases manifold 120 being inserted into the cannula body 118 from a second side.