Breathing Circuit Elbow Connector With Sensor Ports and Heater Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical tubes and connectors for breathing circuits lack efficient mechanisms for temperature and humidity monitoring, as well as electrical connectivity for heating and sensing, which are crucial for maintaining optimal respiratory conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of medical tubes with integrated heater and sensor wires, along with connectors featuring electrical ports and sensor ports, allows for real-time monitoring and control of gas temperature and humidity, and provides electrical connections for heating and sensing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical tubes are used without integrated heating and sensing capabilities, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to monitor and control temperature and humidity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates heater wires and sensor wires directly into the medical tube structure, combining multiple functions (heating, sensing, fluid transport) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate heating elements and sensors, reducing overall system complexity while improving temperature and humidity control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The medical tube is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: transporting respiratory gases, providing heating through embedded heater wires, monitoring temperature via sensor wires, and maintaining structural flexibility. This multi-functionality approach allows one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate devices
2Ease of manufacture
If connectors without electrical ports are used, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but electrical connectivity for heating and sensing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical ports and wire connection points are pre-integrated into the connector structure during manufacturing. The heater and sensor wires are pre-positioned and connected to the electrical ports before the connector is assembled, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly wiring and simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring reliable electrical connectivity
3Productivity
If smooth bore tubes are used, then gas flow resistance is reduced, but structural strength and flexibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The medical tube employs a composite construction with an inner smooth bore layer for optimal gas flow and an outer reinforced layer providing structural strength and flexibility. The heater and sensor wires are embedded within this composite structure, allowing the tube to maintain both low flow resistance and high mechanical integrity through the synergistic combination of different material properties
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 precise control of respiratory gas conditions, enhancing patient care by ensuring optimal humidity and temperature levels, and facilitating real-time monitoring and adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one wire may comprise at least one heater wire
Implementation Method 2
The at least one wire may comprise a pair of sensor wires
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Disclosed is a connector for a medical tube, the connector having a first portion having a first opening, a second portion having a second opening, a lumen formed by the first portion and the second portion, the lumen providing a gases flow path between the first opening and the second opening, the first portion of the connector comprises at least one sensor port, the sensor port extending, through a wall of the first portion of the connector into the lumen, the second portion of the connector body may have at least one electrical port, the electrical port configured to provide for electrical connection with at least one wire of the medical tube, and the electrical port is located on the top of the second portion of the connector the first portion is angled with respect to the second portion to form an elbow.