Compressible Filter Media Seal for Variable Compression Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breathing circuits and similar medical devices often suffer from leaky interfaces due to variable compressions, leading to unintended mixing of gases and potential microbial contamination, which existing seals like O-rings and gaskets fail to effectively address without increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compressible filter media seal at the variable compression interface, which can be disposed on either the obstruction member or the element, to reduce fluid leakage and trap unwanted particles, thereby enhancing the filtration efficiency and preventing microbial penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seals like O-rings and gaskets are used at variable compression interfaces, then manufacturing costs increase, but fluid leakage and microbial penetration are not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous foam material as the seal at the variable compression interface. The porous structure allows the seal to deform and conform to irregular surfaces while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The material's inherent porosity enables it to trap and filter particles and microbes while still providing a fluid-tight barrier, eliminating the need for expensive traditional seals like O-rings and gaskets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining porous foam material with filtering media at the seal interface. This composite structure provides both sealing functionality (blocking fluid leakage) and filtration functionality (trapping particles and microbes), achieving multiple objectives with a single integrated solution that reduces overall manufacturing cost.
2Device complexity
If variable compression interfaces are used in breathing circuits, then device complexity is reduced, but unintended mixing of gases and microbial contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The porous foam seal maintains the simple variable compression interface structure while adding filtration capability. The porous structure allows the seal to adapt to compression variations without requiring complex mechanical adjustments, yet simultaneously traps microbes and particles, preventing contamination without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous foam seal acts as an intermediary element at the variable compression interface. It mediates between the need for a simple, adaptable interface and the requirement to prevent microbial contamination. The seal's porous structure allows it to fill gaps and irregularities in the interface while providing a filtration barrier, effectively bridging the gap between structural simplicity and contamination prevention.
3Reliability
If compressible filter media seal is implemented, then filtration efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous foam material that inherently combines compression capability and filtration functionality. The porous structure is formed during the foam's manufacturing process, integrating the filtration function into the base sealing material without requiring additional complex structures or assembly steps, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving high filtration efficiency.
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 compressible filter media seal significantly reduces unwanted fluid leakage and microbial penetration, meeting industry filtration standards while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using readily available non-woven filter fabric, thus improving the safety and efficiency of breathing circuits without requiring significant redesign or expensive materials.
Implementation Method 1
the seal comprises a compressible filter media configured to trap unwanted particles, attempting to pass between the obstruction member and the element, in the seal
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to an example of a device configured to be in fluid communication with an article. The device includes an element configured to contact the article to form a variable compression interface between the element and the article. The device also includes a seal disposed on the element and at the variable compression interface. The seal is configured to reduce an amount of unwanted fluid leakage at the variable compression interface. An example seal includes a filter media configured to trap unwanted particles attempting to pass through the variable compression interface. In one example, the variable compression interface can be included within a heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit.