Bayonet Coupling for Non-Invasive Ventilation Helmet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets for non-invasive patient ventilation are cumbersome to remove and access, especially in emergency situations, due to inefficient closure mechanisms and lack of hermetic sealing under positive pressure, limiting their usability in therapies like CPAP and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring a bayonet-like coupling mechanism between two rigid rings, using a non-dilatable and flexible material with an optically transparent container body, an elastically yieldable collar, and an annular gasket for improved sealing and ease of access, allowing for efficient and quick opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zips or rigid unions are used as closure elements, then the helmet can be closed to provide sealing, but the opening operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into two separate rigid rings (first rigid ring at the open end of container body, second rigid ring at the open end of collar) that can be independently positioned and coupled. This segmentation allows the helmet to be quickly opened by separating the rings while maintaining reliable sealing when coupled through bayonet-like coupling means.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet-like coupling means provides a dynamic coupling mechanism that allows rapid engagement and disengagement of the rigid rings. The coupling can be quickly activated or deactivated, enabling fast opening for emergency access while ensuring secure closure during normal operation to maintain sealing.
2Ease of operation
If the access opening is made wide to allow easy access to the patient's face, then the operator can perform interventions more easily, but the complexity of opening the closure elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet structure is segmented into modular components (container body, collar, two rigid rings) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows for simple, quick closure operations while maintaining the capability for wide access when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid rings serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable sealing through the bayonet coupling, and facilitate quick opening when emergency access is needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for complex specialized mechanisms.
3Reliability
If an annular gasket is used to seal between rigid rings under positive pressure, then hermetic sealing is achieved, but the retention force of the rings must be sufficient to counteract the internal pressure
Solution Approach 1:
An annular gasket is introduced as an intermediary sealing element between the first and second rigid rings. The gasket material is elastically yieldable, allowing it to deform and conform to the ring surfaces to create a hermetic seal that can withstand the positive pressure generated during CPAP and NIV therapies.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system combines rigid rings (for structural strength and pressure resistance) with an elastically yieldable gasket material (for conforming sealing). This composite approach allows the rigid rings to provide the necessary retention force while the gasket material provides the hermetic seal under pressure.
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 helmet provides secure, hermetic sealing under positive pressure and facilitates rapid access to the patient's face for interventions, enhancing both comfort and operational efficiency during non-invasive ventilation therapies.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically yieldable collar which can be sealingly coupled to the neck of the patient
Implementation Method 2
bayonet-like coupling means adapted to removably couple the first and the second rigid ring with respect to each other
Implementation Method 3
an annular gasket for improved sealing
Data Source
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AI summary
A helmet (10) for non-invasive ventilation of patients comprising: - a container body (20) in which there can be housed the head of a patient, provided with at least one optically transparent portion and with an open end to which a first rigid ring (21) is fixed; - an elastically yieldable collar (30) which can be sealingly coupled to the neck of the patient and fixed to a second rigid ring (31) can be sealingly removably associated to said first rigid ring (21), whose distinguishing characteristic consists in comprising a bayonet-like coupling means adapted to removably couple the first and the second rigid ring with respect to each other (21,31).