BVM Stabilizer Arm for Single-Hand Seal and Bagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bag valve mask (BVM) resuscitators face challenges due to the collapsibility of the reservoir bag, which limits the user's ability to maintain a tight seal with a single hand, leading to inefficient ventilation as pressurized air leaks, and requires additional manpower when both hands are needed for sealing and bagging.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer arm is introduced to provide support for the BVM resuscitator, allowing a single user to apply downward pressure on the bag while maintaining a seal, using either an external or internal design that attaches to the valve connector, enabling equivalent two-person technique performance with one provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reservoir bag is made collapsible and flexible, then the bag can be easily squeezed to create pressure for ventilation, but the bag cannot tolerate downward pressure from the hand, limiting the user to single-hand operation
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer arm is introduced as a separate structural element that divides the force application: one hand squeezes the bag while the other hand uses the stabilizer arm to apply downward pressure on the mask, enabling both hands to be effectively utilized without compromising bag flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer arm acts as an intermediary mechanical lever between the user's hand and the mask, allowing downward pressure to be applied without directly compromising the reservoir bag's flexibility or requiring the bag itself to support the downward force
2Reliability
If both hands are used to create pressure on the mask for better seal, then the seal quality improves, but a second provider is required to squeeze the bag, consuming valuable manpower
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer arm enables the device to assist itself in achieving proper mask positioning and seal, allowing a single operator to utilize both hands for mask sealing while the device's structure facilitates bag squeezing without additional manpower
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer arm serves as a mechanical intermediary that allows one hand to achieve two-handed seal quality by providing leverage and stability, while the same device enables the other hand to effectively squeeze the bag, maintaining full functionality with single-provider operation
3Ease of operation
If the reservoir bag is made from soft collapsible material, then the bag can be squeezed effectively, but the bag folds and collapses, preventing consistent tight seal formation
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer arm separates the structural support function from the flexible reservoir bag, providing the necessary stability for mask positioning without compromising the bag's ability to collapse and be squeezed for ventilation
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer arm acts as a structural intermediary that provides the stability and leverage needed for consistent mask sealing, while the soft collapsible bag remains unchanged and continues to function effectively for pressure generation
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizer arm for a BVM resuscitator and method of use is disclosed. The stabilizer arm provides necessary support to the reservoir bag to enable the user to exert downward pressure on the BVM resuscitator while simultaneously squeezing the reservoir bag, and creates force that is focused, directed, and realized at the mask of the assembly. Due to presence of stabilizer arm, this pressure pushes the facial mask downward to assist in forming a tight mask to face seal. The stabilizer arm may be internal, external or integrated into the reservoir bag wall of the BVM resuscitator and may be retro-fitted or original equipment manufactured. The external stabilizer arm may be designed to engage the outlet port neck of the BVM resuscitator with an open collar or a closed collar. The internal stabilizer arm may be configured to fit BVM resuscitators having single piece or multiple piece outlet valve design.