Breath Sampling Filter Reconstitution via Ozone Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a device and method to reconstitute breath sampling tube filters after they have reached their liquid absorption limit, ensuring patient safety by preventing unauthorized reuse and maintaining the functionality of CO2 monitors.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses ozone-enriched air, generated by a UV source, to dry and disinfect used filters, allowing them to be reused, with a mechanism to mark the consumables for visibility and control the flow and pressure of ozone based on filter type and number.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If filters are reused after reaching liquid absorption limit, then cost is reduced and productivity increased, but patient safety is compromised and equipment damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reconstitution actions on the filter before reuse is allowed. The filter is placed in a chamber where ozone-enriched air is generated and flowed through it to dry and disinfect the filter surface, preparing it for safe reuse. This preliminary treatment ensures the filter is ready for continued use without compromising patient safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical and chemical parameters of the filter by exposing it to ozone-enriched air. The ozone treatment modifies the filter's surface properties, removing absorbed liquids and disinfecting the filter, thereby changing its state from a saturated, unusable condition to a cleaned, reusable condition.
2Ease of manufacture
If ozone is used to reconstitute filters, then filter drying and disinfection is achieved, but ozone may be released into the environment causing harm
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary chamber as a containment medium. The chamber is equipped with an outlet that directs the ozone-enriched air flow through the filter in a controlled manner. This intermediary structure allows the ozone to effectively treat the filter while containing and controlling the ozone release, preventing uncontrolled environmental discharge.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device adjusts flow and pressure based on filter type, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities where the flow rate and pressure of ozone-enriched air can be varied based on the specific filter type being treated. This dynamic control allows the same device to adapt to different filter characteristics (such as length, diameter, and material) by adjusting operational parameters accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with universal applicability to handle multiple filter types through a single reconstitution chamber. By incorporating adjustable flow and pressure controls, the device can serve different filter configurations (various lengths and diameters) without requiring separate specialized equipment for each filter type.
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
Enables the safe and effective reconstitution of breath sampling tube filters, ensuring they are suitable for reuse while preventing ozone release into the environment, thus maintaining equipment functionality and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
a UV source that may catalyze the formation of ozone, thereby obtaining ozone-enriched air
Implementation Method 2
the ejected ozone dries and/or disinfects the filter
Implementation Method 3
the ejected ozone dries and/or disinfects the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A device for reconstituting a filter and/or a filter-containing consumable for use in breath monitoring, the device including a connector socket that may receive and/or mate with the filter or filter-containing consumable, a pump that may pump ambient air into a chamber of the device, an inlet that may allow flow of oxygen into the chamber, a UV source that may catalyze the formation of ozone from the oxygen, thereby obtaining ozone enriching air in the chamber, and an outlet that may eject the ozone enriched air, from the chamber, into the filter, thereby reconstituting the filter and/or the filter-containing consumable.