Compact Humidifier With Hydrophobic Membrane For Ventilator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiration humidifiers for invasive and non-invasive ventilation are bulky, heavy, and inefficient, leading to heat loss and inadequate humidification, especially during patient transport, and introduce additional resistance and bacterial contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight, and integrated humidifier with a heater surrounded by a hydrophobic membrane that allows vapor permeability while blocking liquid, minimizing heat loss and maintaining efficient humidification within the patient ventilation circuit, even during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional humidifiers are used, then humidification function is provided, but the device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifier is integrated within the ventilator housing, with the heating element nested within the water reservoir. The hydrophobic membrane is positioned between the heating element and the external environment. This nested configuration allows the humidifier components to occupy shared space within the ventilator, eliminating the need for a separate external humidifier unit and thereby reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The humidifier functionality is merged with the ventilator system by integrating the water reservoir, heating element, and hydrophobic membrane into the existing ventilator structure. This consolidation combines multiple functions (ventilation and humidification) into a single integrated device, reducing the total number of components and the overall weight that needs to be transported.
2Reliability
If traditional humidifiers are used, then humidification is provided, but heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic membrane is introduced as an intermediary layer between the heating element and the external environment. This membrane allows water vapor to pass through while blocking liquid water and reducing thermal energy loss. The membrane acts as a selective barrier that maintains the humidification function while minimizing heat transfer to the surrounding air, thereby reducing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic membrane functions as a thin film that selectively permits vapor transmission while restraining liquid and thermal energy. This thin film structure provides an efficient barrier that reduces heat loss without significantly impeding vapor diffusion, thereby improving thermal efficiency while maintaining the humidification function.
3Reliability
If heated humidifiers are used, then temperature and humidity are maintained, but additional dead space and resistance are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is nested within the water reservoir, and the hydrophobic membrane is positioned between the heating element and the gas flow path. This nested arrangement minimizes the volume occupied by the humidifier components and reduces the dead space in the breathing circuit. The compact configuration allows for efficient space utilization while maintaining temperature and humidity control.
4Ease of manufacture
If HMEs are used, then passive humidification is provided, but reliable temperature and humidity maintenance fails during high flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the patient's own exhaled carbon dioxide to drive carbonic anhydrase-catalyzed reactions that generate protons, which then drive the passive humidification process through ion exchange membranes. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources or complex active heating systems, enabling reliable temperature and humidity maintenance during high flow conditions through purely passive physiological-driven processes.
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 provides optimal heated and humidified gas delivery with minimal resistance and dead space, maintaining power efficiency and preventing bacterial contamination through a disposable design.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic membrane permeable to the vapour phase of the liquid, wherein the heater for heating the liquid is surrounded by the hydrophobic membrane permeable to the vapour phase of the liquid, thereby allowing for crossing of the membrane only by the vapour phase of the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a heater for heating a liquid
Implementation Method 3
heating the liquid producing vapours that can cross the hydrophobic membrane
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a humidifier that can be integrated with a ventilator allowing it to continue humidification during patient transport. The humidifier can be placed at the ventilator outlet port and have a size that adds minimal resistance and compliance in the inspiratory arm of the patient circuit. The innermost core of the humidifier is the heater element that is positioned inside a hydrophobic membrane, allowing for humidification of the gas flowing around the hydrophobic membrane.