Breathing Device with Modular Speech Valve Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breathing devices for laryngectomees with tracheostoma protrude excessively, causing discomfort and complicating the replacement of filters and speech valves, leading to respiratory resistance and ease-of-use issues.

Innovation Solution

A breathing device with a cylindrical housing, annular housing support, and a planar, flexible flat part with sealing function, allowing for detachable and sealed connection to the tracheostoma, featuring recesses for air exchange and a locking mechanism with support projections to prevent coughing out, ensuring a compact design and easy filter/speech valve replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing breathing devices use integrated speech valves and heat and moisture exchange devices with bayonet locks or clamps, then the connection is secure, but the total height becomes excessive and wear comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidtotal height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: a base element that attaches to the tracheostoma and a separate speech valve/HME device that connects to it. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the total height while maintaining secure connection through the modular interface with sealing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If existing devices use integrated units with locking mechanisms, then the connection is stable, but opening and closing the lock becomes complicated and ease of use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The complex bayonet locking mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler connection system. The speech valve and HME device connect to the base element through a straightforward interface that maintains stable connection through sealing surfaces and geometric fitting, eliminating the need for complicated rotational locking actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the receiving element is open towards one direction to allow assembly, then assembly is possible, but the direction must be observed during gluing and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly possibilityVSAvoiddirectional constraint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base element features an asymmetric U-shaped receiving element with a specific orientation that naturally guides the assembly process. The asymmetric design incorporates positioning elements and sealing surfaces that automatically align components during assembly, eliminating the need to observe specific directional constraints while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Adaptability or versatility

If existing devices use protruding designs to accommodate speech valves and HME devices, then the components can be housed, but the device protrudes far from the stoma and wear comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent housing capabilityVSAvoidprotrusion distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The speech valve and HME device are nested within a compact cylindrical housing that integrates with the base element. This nesting arrangement allows the components to be housed efficiently without excessive protrusion, as the cylindrical structure optimizes space utilization and keeps the overall profile low against the tracheostoma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

5Device complexity

If existing devices use restrictive cross-section designs, then the structure is compact, but respiratory resistance increases and comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidrespiratory resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a two-dimensional cross-sectional view to a three-dimensional cylindrical structure. This dimensional change allows air to flow through multiple pathways simultaneously around the HME device, reducing respiratory resistance while maintaining structural compactness through the efficient use of vertical space in the cylindrical housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9168345B2Breathing device comprising a support for speech valves and/or heat and moisture exchange devices without fixing to the cannula

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 PRIMED HALBERSTADT MEDIZINTECHN

AI summary

A breathing device for placing on a tracheostoma of a patient comprising a cylindrical housing, an annular housing support, a flexible flat part with sealing and adhesive functions, a filter or a speech valve, and a cover plate. The housing comprises, in the wall thereof, recesses for introducing and extracting inhaled air, and on the proximal opening thereof, an outer edge comprises at least three edge segments which are on the outer wall and at least three edge recesses. Holding rods support the filter on the proximal opening, the housing support comprises an annular flange having at least three inner wall support projections and an annular outer wall base. The support projections have a receiving area, the housing support supports the housing with the filter or speech valve into which the edge segment can be introduced in a precise manner into the support projections.