Respiratory Therapy Device Single Gas Source CPAP Nebulizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory therapy devices require separate gas sources for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and aerosol therapies, making it inconvenient and costly to administer combination therapy, especially when only one gas source is available, as it necessitates additional equipment and time to set up.
Innovation Solution
A single-patient respiratory therapy device that connects a CPAP device to a small-volume nebulizer, allowing for simultaneous delivery of CPAP and aerosol therapy using a single gas source, with a flow regulation system to manage gas distribution between the two devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate gas sources are used for CPAP and aerosol therapies, then each device can be independently controlled, but the complexity of the system increases and requires multiple gas sources and flow meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas supply systems of CPAP and aerosol therapies into a single integrated flow meter that controls gas distribution to both devices. This merging eliminates the need for separate gas sources and flow meters, reducing system complexity while maintaining independent control capabilities through a unified control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - controlling gas flow for both CPAP therapy and aerosol generation from a single gas source. This multi-functional design allows one device to perform the roles previously requiring two separate systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If a single gas source is used for both CPAP and aerosol devices, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide optimal gas type for each therapy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gas flow path after the single gas source, allowing different portions of the gas flow to be directed to different devices. This segmentation enables the system to provide optimized gas delivery to each therapy device while maintaining a single unified gas source, thus reducing complexity without sacrificing adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gas sources are available in a hospital room, then optimal gas selection for each therapy is possible, but additional equipment (flow meters) and setup time are required
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the gas control functions into a single flow meter that serves both CPAP and aerosol devices, the patent eliminates the need for multiple flow meters and gas source connections. This reduces the setup time and procedural complexity while maintaining the flexibility to optimize gas delivery for each therapy type.
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 cost-effective delivery of combined CPAP-aerosol therapy by eliminating the need for multiple gas sources and reducing setup time, allowing for flexible gas type selection based on patient needs.
Implementation Method 1
The nebulizer converts the liquid medication into aerosol
Implementation Method 2
connecting the nebulizer to a source of gas... The nebulizer converts the liquid medication into aerosol
Implementation Method 3
a flow meter that regulates the flow of air or oxygen from a wall outlet
Implementation Method 4
CPAP... delivers a positive pressure into the airways during both inhalation and exhalation in order to help open the airways and keep them open
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates in general to a respiratory therapy device, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for providing continuous positive airway pressure therapy that may be connected to a small-volume nebulizer in order to provide a combination therapy that requires only a single source of gas. The apparatus of the invention includes a valveless patient interface and a source of pressurized gas which may be split into two streams to provide both continuous positive airway pressure therapy as well as aerosol therapy to a patient.