Breathing Valve Proximal Placement for Compact Respiratory Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breathing assistance devices face challenges in miniaturization due to large duct diameters required for safety standards, complex control systems, and the need for multiple wires for sensor connections, which hinder mobility and versatility in operating different respiratory modes.
Innovation Solution
A breathing assistance device with a gas regulating valve having a leakage orifice and an electromagnetic obstruction means capable of bidirectional gas flow, located proximally to reduce duct diameter and wire count, allowing real-time control and operation in various modes without adapting the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gas regulating valve is located distally (near the gas source) to ensure safety and proper gas flow control, then the breathing assistance device can maintain reliable gas delivery, but the duct diameter must be large (150-180 cm length implies significant volume) which increases device size and reduces mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional location of the gas regulating valve from the distal end (near gas source) to the proximal end (near patient). This inversion allows the duct to be shorter and narrower while maintaining safety through the bidirectional leakage orifice design that prevents over-pressurization regardless of valve position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bidirectional leakage orifice as an intermediary safety mechanism between the gas source and patient. This orifice allows controlled gas leakage in both directions, serving as a safety relief mechanism that enables the valve to be positioned proximally without compromising patient safety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are added to monitor expiratory gas flow and pressure, then the breathing assistance device can operate in various respiratory modes, but each sensor requires three wires for power and data, increasing device complexity and wire count
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single integrated sensor located at the proximal end near the patient. This unified sensor monitors both expiratory gas flow and pressure simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate sensors and their associated wire connections, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining multi-mode operational capability.
3Device complexity
If the expiratory valve is located distally at the end of the expiration duct near the gas source, then the device structure can be simplified, but the patient experiences breathing resistance when pushing expiration through the long duct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the location of the expiratory valve from the distal end (near gas source) to the proximal end (near patient). This inversion places the valve at the point where the patient directly interfaces with the system, eliminating the need to push expired air through a long duct and significantly reducing breathing resistance.
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 solution enables miniaturization while maintaining safety standards, simplifying control systems, and allowing real-time gas regulation, enabling operation in diverse respiratory modes with reduced complexity and wire usage.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic obstruction means (72; 62) capable of varying the opening of said leakage orifice (71; 617) upon signal of a controlling means (35)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a breathing assistance device for a patient (P), the device including: —a source of respiratory pressurized gas (S), a gas transmission duct (31) comprising a distal end (31d) coupled to said source and a proximal end (31p) coupled to the patient, —a gas regulating valve (32, 50) interposed in the gas transmission duct at a proximal location, comprising a leakage orifice (531) and an obstruction means (54) capable of varying the opening of the leakage orifice upon signal of controlling means (35) and allowing a bidirectional gas flow through the leakage orifice in both expiration and inspiration phases.