Catheter Mount Suction Port Valve for Respiratory Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter mounts in respiratory assistance systems do not provide easy access to the components between the catheter mount and the ventilator, making it difficult to suction condensate and secretions from the intermediate tube.

Innovation Solution

A catheter mount with multiple ports in fluid communication, including an interface port, a conduit port, and a suction port, where the suction port is equipped with a valve allowing direct access to both the interface and conduit tubes, facilitating easy suctioning of materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional catheter mount is used with a sealed passageway, then the system maintains sealing integrity, but access to components between the catheter mount and ventilator becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to componentsVSAvoidsealed passageway structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter mount is segmented into multiple functional ports: an interface port for connecting to the interface tube, a conduit port for the conduit tube, and a suction port for the suction catheter. This segmentation allows independent access to different components while maintaining the overall sealed structure, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction port acts as an intermediary access point that enables the suction catheter to reach components between the catheter mount and ventilator without compromising the sealed passageway. This intermediary structure facilitates maintenance access while preserving the integrity of the main connection pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a suction catheter needs to access both interface tube and conduit tube, then comprehensive cleaning is achieved, but the time required for maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive suctioning accessVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The suction port is designed with multi-functionality to provide access to both the interface tube and conduit tube through a single entry point. The valve mechanism within the suction port can be configured to direct the suction catheter to either tube, eliminating the need for separate access points and reducing maintenance time while ensuring comprehensive cleaning of all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ports are added to the catheter mount, then access to different tubes is facilitated, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to multiple tubesVSAvoidnumber of ports
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple access functions are merged into a single suction port through the use of an internal valve mechanism. This valve allows the suction catheter to be directed to either the interface tube or conduit tube, combining what would otherwise require separate ports into one integrated structure, thereby maintaining versatility while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4223339B1Catheter mount with suction port
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LTD
  • EP4223339B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4223339B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4223339B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

There is disclosed a catheter mount (200d) configured to be attached to a respiratory assistance system (100a, 100b), the catheter mount comprising: a plurality of ports in fluid communication with each other, the plurality of ports comprising: - an interface port (300d) configured to connect to an interface tube (140); - a conduit port (250d) configured to connect to a conduit tube (130); and - a suction port (350d) configured to allow insertion of a suction catheter (160); and a valve (600) configured to allow direct access to both the conduit tube and the interface tube through the suction port.