Bellows Oxygen Pressure Regulation for Low-Waste Respiratory Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Respiratory therapy devices often supply oxygen at variable pressures, leading to substantial wastage, as they typically deliver oxygen at higher pressures than required for breathing, resulting in inefficiency and reduced oxygen consumption.
Innovation Solution
An oxygen pressure regulating device with a housing, spring unit, bellows arrangement, and programmable switch that adjusts the oxygen pressure from an inlet to an outlet, allowing for calibration to deliver oxygen at a suitable pressure for human subjects, using a laminar flow element to ensure efficient oxygen delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxygen is supplied at higher pressure to ensure adequate delivery, then oxygen delivery reliability is improved, but oxygen wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts the oxygen pressure parameter to match the patient's actual breathing requirements. By using a pressure sensor to detect real-time pressure conditions and a control unit to regulate the pressure reducing valve, the system changes the pressure parameter adaptively rather than maintaining a fixed high pressure, thereby ensuring reliable delivery while minimizing wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the pressure sensor continuously monitors the oxygen pressure and sends signals to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback information and adjusts the pressure reducing valve accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal pressure levels and prevents excessive pressure-related wastage.
2Loss of substance
If oxygen pressure is reduced to match breathing requirements, then oxygen wastage decreases, but oxygen delivery reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static pressure delivery system to a dynamic one. The pressure reducing valve is controlled dynamically based on real-time pressure sensor readings and patient breathing patterns. This dynamic adjustment ensures that pressure is reduced only when and where needed, maintaining reliability while reducing wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation through the feedback loop. The pressure sensor and control unit automatically adjust the oxygen pressure without external intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in maintaining optimal pressure levels that balance reliability and wastage reduction.
3Productivity
If variable pressure delivery is used to adapt to patient needs, then oxygen usage efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure regulation mechanisms with an electronically controlled system. The pressure reducing valve is actuated by an electric motor driven by a control unit based on sensor feedback, substituting intricate mechanical linkages with simpler electronic control components, thereby achieving variable pressure delivery with reduced overall complexity.
4Loss of substance
If pressure regulation components are added to control oxygen delivery, then oxygen wastage reduces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives signals from the pressure sensor, processes the pressure data, controls the pressure reducing valve, and monitors overall system operation. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby achieving effective pressure regulation with minimized device complexity.
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 reduces oxygen wastage by up to 50% and increases oxygen saturation levels by 4% by supplying oxygen at a comfortable and appropriate pressure, making it portable, electricity-free, and easy to install for use in various settings.
Implementation Method 1
a spring unit (112) including a plate (116) placed in fluid communication with the inlet port (104), the plate (116) being configured to be moved when impinged upon by the oxygen stream at the first pressure received through the inlet port (104); a bellows arrangement (118) biased with respect to the spring unit (112)
Implementation Method 2
A laminar flow element (202) may be in fluid communication with the oxygen pressure regulating device (100) and may be configured to convert any turbulent flow to a laminar oxygen flow
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen pressure regulating device (100) is disclosed. The device (100) comprises a housing (102) including an inlet port (104) and an outlet port (106), the housing (102) including: a spring unit (112) including a plate (116) placed in fluid communication with the inlet port (104), the plate (116) being configured to be moved when impinged upon by an oxygen stream at a first pressure received through the inlet port (104); a bellows arrangement (118); and a switch (146) configured to be activated to open the outlet port (106) for releasing the oxygen stream through the outlet port (106). Also disclosed is a system comprising the oxygen pressure regulating device (100), a laminar flow element and a second conduit.