Low Profile Chest Seal with Integrated One-Way Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chest seals for open pneumothorax are obtrusive and prone to dislodgment during treatment, failing to effectively vent the pleural cavity while preventing air entry, especially when invasive procedures are not required.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile chest seal with a flexible flange body and biocompatible adhesive, featuring centrally disposed one-way valves that allow air to escape while blocking entry, ensuring secure adhesion and venting without the risk of dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylindrical section with an elongated duck bill valve is used to allow air escape, then venting function is improved, but the device becomes obtrusive and prone to dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into a fixed mounting base integrated with the flange and a movable valve element (membrane or flap) that remains low-profile when closed. This segmentation allows the valve to provide effective venting when open while maintaining a compact, non-obtrusive profile when closed, eliminating the need for long dangling tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism transitions from a three-dimensional elongated structure to a two-dimensional planar integration within the flange body. The valve element lies flat against the flange when closed, and opens perpendicular to the flange surface only during venting, effectively reducing the permanent profile height while maintaining venting capability.
2Reliability
If a dangling free end valve is used to prevent air entry, then sealing function is improved, but the valve may be inadvertently caught and pulled causing dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mounting base is merged with the flange body as a single integrated structure, eliminating the dangling free end. The valve element is anchored at its base to the flange, ensuring that the entire valve assembly moves with the flange during patient movement or treatment procedures, preventing inadvertent dislodgment while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If pressure from medical equipment is applied to secure the seal, then positioning stability is improved, but the duck bill valve may be prevented from opening to vent air
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to deform or open under positive pressure from the pleural cavity even when external pressure is applied to the flange. The valve membrane or flap can bulge or lift locally in response to internal pressure gradients, ensuring venting function is maintained despite external compression on the overall device.
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 chest seal effectively maintains a seal against air entry while allowing trapped air to escape, reducing respiratory distress and minimizing the risk of dislodgment during treatment, even when invasive procedures are not necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way valve secured with respect to said upper surface of said flange body so as to overlie a respective at least one said central opening, said one-way valve comprising a valve body having a peripheral wall, a passage defined therethrough, and a sealing element disposed in said valve body so as to selectively seat to seal said passage to preclude air flow in one direction through said valve body and so as to be selectively unseated to allow flow through said valve body in the opposite direction
Implementation Method 2
a biocompatible adhesive disposed on said bottom surface of said flexible flange body
Data Source
AI summary
A chest seal for treating an open pneumothorax that is low profile and thus unobtrusive so that the chest seal can be effectively maintained in position to seal a chest wound while allowing the pleural cavity to vent.