Portable Airway Suction Device Using Centrifugal Pump and Modular Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current airway suction devices are heavy, bulky, provide low suction, have short battery life, and are not ergonomically designed for single-handed operation, leading to inadequate airway clearance and potential suffocation in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A portable, single-handed airway suction device with an integrated centrifugal pump design, modular sections, and a collapsible storage container, featuring a pressure sensor and overdrive functionality to maintain suction and separate solid and liquid debris, ensuring effective airway clearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current mechanical or electrical suction devices are used, then airway clearance function is provided, but the devices are heavy and bulky, reducing portability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway clearance functionVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device is divided into modular components including a collapsible storage container, pump assembly, and handle section that can be stored independently or assembled together, reducing the weight carried at any one time while maintaining full functionality when assembled

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collapsible storage container is designed to nest within the device housing when not in use, and the modular components can be stored within each other to minimize carrying volume and weight during transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If current suction devices are used, then suction function is provided, but the devices are bulky, reducing ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction functionVSAvoidsingle-handed operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a collapsible storage container that can be compressed to a small size for portability yet expands to provide adequate working space during operation, allowing the device to adapt between compact transport mode and functional operation mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design allows the pump assembly to be separated from the storage container, enabling the operator to hold the handle and pump assembly in one hand while the collapsible container can be positioned conveniently, facilitating single-handed operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If current suction devices are used, then basic suction is provided, but suction capability is low, reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasic suction functionVSAvoidsuction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces traditional mechanical suction mechanisms with an optimized centrifugal pump design that generates significantly higher suction capability while reducing the physical size and weight of the power source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The centrifugal pump is designed with optimized parameters including impeller geometry and rotational speed to maximize suction pressure and flow rate, providing adequate suction power for clearing solid and liquid debris from airways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If current suction devices are used, then continuous suction is provided, but solid particulates cause clogs, reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous suctionVSAvoidclogs from solid particulates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A hydrophobic filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the airway and the pump, allowing liquid to pass through while blocking solid particulates, thus preventing clogs while maintaining continuous suction capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophobic filter utilizes porous material with specific pore size and surface properties that permit liquid passage while repelling and blocking solid debris, enabling continuous operation without clogging from particulate matter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

5Quantity of substance

If current suction devices are used, then storage capability is provided, but the storage container is bulky, reducing portability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capabilityVSAvoidstorage container weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The storage container is designed to collapse into a compact form that nests within the device housing or can be carried separately in a minimal space, providing adequate storage capacity when needed while minimizing weight and volume during transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables efficient and reliable airway clearance in emergency settings, reducing the risk of suffocation and improving treatment efficiency by providing adequate suction and ergonomic balance for single-handed operation.

Implementation Method 1

optimized centrifugal pump design to maximize suction capability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

active separation of solid and liquid debris to prevent clogs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentUS11260162B2Airway suction device

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 BOARD OF RGT THE UNIV OF TEXAS SYST

AI summary

Disclosed herein are devices and methods of use of that device that assists in the clearing of the airway of a patient and where the device is portable and able to be used with a single hand.