Bi-Valve Oxygen Flowmeter Switching to Cut Desaturation Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hospital settings, patients requiring constant medical gas flow face health risks due to time delays in switching between oxygen delivery devices, primarily caused by the entanglement of tubes, leading to potential desaturation and increased risk of human error with complex and non-disposable switching systems.
Innovation Solution
A bi-valve device with a simple, inexpensive design featuring a casing with a single inlet and dual outlets, operated by a rotatable knob, allowing quick and safe switching between two medical gas delivery devices, minimizing the risk of desaturation by reducing the complexity and potential for human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex switching system with multiple tubes and devices is used, then more delivery options are available, but the time delay increases and human error risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a single bi-valve unit that handles switching between two delivery devices, separating the switching function from the delivery devices themselves. This allows multiple delivery options to be maintained while the switching operation is simplified to a single controlled action.
Solution Approach 2:
The bi-valve acts as an intermediary device between the gas source and multiple delivery devices. It provides a centralized control point that manages flow distribution without requiring direct manipulation of multiple tubes and connections, thereby reducing switching time and error risk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex switching system with multiple tubes and devices is used, then more delivery options are available, but human error risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the switching function into a dedicated bi-valve unit, the system reduces the number of independent components that require manual manipulation. This segmentation maintains delivery versatility while concentrating control functions to minimize human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The bi-valve intermediary provides a single controlled interface for switching between delivery devices, eliminating the need to manually manage multiple tube connections. This reduces opportunities for human error while preserving access to multiple delivery options.
3Reliability
If a non-disposable switching system is used, then device functionality is maintained, but cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-valve is designed as a disposable component that can be discarded after use, eliminating cross-contamination risks between patients. The low cost of the disposable unit allows for single-use deployment while maintaining full device functionality during each use period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a discard strategy where the bi-valve is disposed of after a single use or patient treatment. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization and recovery processes while ensuring complete elimination of cross-contamination risks.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple outlets (three or more) are provided, then more delivery options are available, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the multi-outlet functionality into a modular bi-valve configuration that handles two primary delivery paths. This segmentation maintains essential delivery options while avoiding the complexity of integrating three or more outlets in a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The bi-valve provides universal switching capability between two delivery devices, which can be flexibly configured to meet various clinical needs. This multi-functionality approach maintains versatility without requiring dedicated outlets for every possible delivery scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a bi-valve for use with a flowmeter or other source of oxygen or other medical gas, that allows a medical practitioner to easily and quickly switch from delivering oxygen or other gas from the flowmeter or other gas source to a given mask or other device, to another mask or other device. This is accomplished far faster and easier than is done under current practice. Current practice results in the patient being off oxygen or other gas for a short, but very significant period of time, which poses a serious risk of desaturation in the patient. The bi-valve may include a casing, an inlet, and two outlets, with a knob for selecting which output the oxygen or other gas is to be delivered to. The device may be a very simple ball valve device, with the only moving parts being the knob and the ball.