Breathing Mask Virus Attenuator Using Heated Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing and treating viral infections such as the common cold, SARS, and COVID-19 are inadequate, as they do not effectively reduce virus growth and replication.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a virus attenuator that includes a heater board, control board, and sensor board to produce heated gas at a virus-attenuating temperature, which is then inhaled by the patient to create a localized hyperthermic environment in the upper respiratory tract, thereby reducing viral replication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional prevention methods (washing hands, disinfecting surfaces) are used, then virus transmission is reduced, but virus growth and replication within the host is not effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the inhaled gas to a hyperthermic range (above body temperature, e.g., 40-50°C) to create an environment that is hostile to viral replication. This parameter change directly addresses the virus's replication process rather than just preventing transmission, thereby improving reliability in reducing virus growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The heated gas acts as an intermediary medium that transfers thermal energy to the upper respiratory tract. This intermediary enables the delivery of thermal therapy to the target area without direct contact between the patient and the heating device, effectively addressing both transmission prevention and viral replication reduction.
2Reliability
If heated gas is inhaled to create hyperthermic environment, then viral replication is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: gas heating, temperature control, flow regulation, and monitoring. By making the device multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining reliable viral replication reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates temperature sensors that provide real-time feedback to a control system. This feedback mechanism allows automatic adjustment of heating power and gas flow to maintain the desired hyperthermic environment, reducing the need for complex manual control systems and improving reliability.
3Reliability
If heating system is used to attenuate virus, then virus growth is limited, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system operates in a controlled, periodic manner rather than continuously. The gas is heated only during the inhalation phase, and the system adjusts power delivery based on real-time temperature feedback. This periodic, feedback-driven operation reduces unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining reliable virus growth limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the temperature parameter to the minimum effective level for viral attenuation (hyperthermic range) rather than using excessive heat. By changing the temperature parameter to the precise threshold needed for viral replication inhibition, the system achieves reliable virus growth limitation with minimized energy consumption.
4Reliability
If localized hyperthermic environment is created in upper respiratory tract, then viral replication is reduced, but measurement and monitoring difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors are integrated directly into the gas flow path and respiratory tract to provide real-time feedback on the hyperthermic environment. This feedback system continuously monitors the temperature at the site of viral replication, making detection and measurement straightforward while maintaining reliable viral attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heated gas serves as an intermediary that carries thermal energy to the upper respiratory tract, where temperature sensors can indirectly measure the thermal effect through the gas composition and flow characteristics. This intermediary approach simplifies measurement while ensuring reliable viral replication reduction.
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 virus attenuator effectively limits the duration and severity of viral infections by creating a less hospitable environment for viruses, and can be monitored remotely for added safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The heater board includes a plurality of surface mount resistors... at least one heater disposed in the interior between the at least one intake port and the gas ejection nozzle such that at least some gas brought into the interior through the at least one gas intake port contacts the at least one heater
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing system includes a breathing mask including a coupler and a module coupled to the coupler of the breathing mask and configured to provide heated gas to the breathing mask. The module includes: a housing including an outer surface with at least one intake slot formed therein and an output port that is coupled to the coupler of the breathing mask, the housing defining an enclosed space therein and the output port defining a port cross-section; a fan disposed in the enclosed space and configured to blow gas towards the output port; and a heater disposed in the enclosed space between the fan and the inner housing, the heater including at least one heating element configured to heat blown gas from the fan towards the output port. The at least one intake slot, fan, and heater all overlap with the port cross-section.