Breathing System with Controlled Vaporization for Analgesic Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-administration systems for analgesics, such as inhalation systems, face challenges in user simplicity and effectiveness, particularly in stressful or traumatic scenarios where manual dexterity and intravenous access may be compromised, leading to suboptimal analgesic delivery and overdose risks.
Innovation Solution
A breathing system that includes a patient airway interface with a means to add a substance, such as methoxyflurane, adrenaline, or salbutamol, which is vaporized and controlled by a user-operable control mechanism that adjusts the substance's administration based on user input frequency and stored data to prevent overdose, featuring a control unit that monitors and adjusts the amount of substance added to the inhaled gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a patient self-administers analgesics using manual control devices (hand-held regulators, lollipops), then the patient can control the administration, but the system requires manual dexterity which may be compromised in traumatic scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patient controls the administration through a simplified button press interface that requires minimal manual dexterity. The system automatically manages the complex vaporization and dosing functions, allowing the patient to self-administer while compensating for their limited manual capability through automated control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms (hand-held regulators, positioning devices) with a simple electronic button interface. This substitution reduces the manual dexterity required while maintaining patient control, as the electronic system handles the complex dosing and vaporization control automatically.
2Reliability
If compressed nitrous oxide gas is used in a canister for patient-controlled analgesia, then the analgesic effect can be achieved, but the canister is cumbersome to transport and use
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the substance storage (liquid reservoir) from the propellant source (gas reservoir), allowing each component to be optimized independently. The liquid reservoir can be smaller and lighter since it stores liquid rather than compressed gas, improving portability while maintaining the ability to deliver the required analgesic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the analgesic substance from compressed gas form to liquid form for storage, then vaporizes it during administration. This parameter change allows for more compact storage and easier transport while still delivering the required gas-phase analgesic effect to the patient.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If continuous drug administration or intramuscular depot injections are used, then analgesic coverage is maintained, but the administration complexity and overdose risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic bolus administration triggered by patient demand (button presses) rather than continuous infusion or long-acting depot injections. This periodic action maintains analgesic coverage through repeated dosing while keeping the system simple and allowing the patient to control the timing, reducing both complexity and overdose risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control where the patient's button presses trigger additional vaporization cycles. The control means monitors the timing and frequency of patient inputs and adjusts the substance addition accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that responds to patient needs while preventing overdose through programmed safety interlocks.
4Ease of operation
If a Schimmelbusch mask with high-volatility anaesthetic is used, then open breathing delivery is achieved, but the control and precision of dosing is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the dosing based on real-time patient input through the button interface. Each button press triggers a controlled vaporization cycle, allowing the system to adapt to changing patient needs while maintaining precise control over the amount of substance delivered, unlike static open-system approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical vaporization approach (dripping liquid onto gauze) with an electronically controlled vaporization system. This substitution enables precise control over the vaporization timing, duration, and intensity, significantly improving dosing precision while maintaining the simplicity of a mask-based delivery interface.
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 system ensures controlled and efficient delivery of analgesics, reducing the risk of overdose and improving user experience by adapting to the patient's needs through intelligent control of substance administration, even in situations where manual dexterity is limited.
Implementation Method 1
adding means for adding the substance to gas to be inhaled, wherein the substance is provided in liquid or powder form, and vaporisation of the substance into the gas is facilitated
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing system for a patient to inhale a substance from, comprises: a patient airway interface (10) mountable on the patient so that breathing occurs through the patient airway interface; an airway (12) connected or connectable to the patient airway interface to enable inhalation of gas and through which air can be inhaled; adding means for adding (14; 30, 33) a liquid substance to the gas in the airway, wherein vaporisation of the substance is facilitated; a user control (18); a control means (16), the user control being coupled to the control means to provide input thereto, configured to control the adding means. The control means may be configured to store information indicative of a time of received inputs and/or of amounts of the substance to be added, and to control the adding means dependent at least on: a most recently received input received from the user control, and stored information indicative of times of previously received inputs and/or of amounts of the substance added further to the previously received inputs.