Curved Connection Unit for Ventilator Fluid Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection units for medical devices, such as ventilators, pose risks during the insertion of additional devices due to potential damage or disruption of the fluid connection, leading to complications and contamination risks.

Innovation Solution

A connection unit comprising a hollow patient-side connection piece, a device-side connection piece, and a central piece with a curved tube segment and a port piece that allows for the insertion of additional devices without severing the fluid connection, featuring a curved tube that changes fluid flow direction and reduces flow resistance and swirling, along with a flexible port piece that can be easily inserted and removed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional connection unit is used for inserting additional devices, then the device can be inserted, but the fluid connection may be damaged or disrupted leading to contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid connection stabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection unit is divided into separate functional components: a body with a fluid passage, a closure member that seals the passage, and a port piece with a passage opening that can be inserted into the body. This segmentation allows the fluid connection to remain sealed and protected while enabling controlled access for additional devices through the port piece without compromising the overall fluid connection stability or creating contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the connection unit allows insertion of additional devices, then versatility is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice insertion capabilityVSAvoidconnection unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The port piece is designed to be inserted into the body of the connection unit, with the port piece's outer surface fitting within the body's inner cavity. The passage opening in the port piece provides access to the fluid passage while the nested structure maintains a compact overall design. This nesting approach enables additional device insertion capability without significantly increasing the external dimensions or structural complexity of the connection unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If a straight tube is used for fluid flow, then manufacturing is simpler, but flow resistance and swirling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube fabricationVSAvoidflow resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid passage in the body is designed with a curved configuration rather than a straight tube, featuring a curved surface that guides fluid flow smoothly. This curvature reduces flow resistance and minimizes swirling by directing the fluid along a controlled path from the first opening to the second opening. The curved passage maintains manufacturability through standard molding techniques while significantly improving fluid dynamics compared to a straight tube design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This design reduces the risk of complications during device insertion, maintains a stable fluid connection, and minimizes contamination by allowing for the insertion of additional devices without disrupting the flow, facilitating smoother mechanical ventilation and reducing pressure loss.

Implementation Method 1

a curved tube segment (4) which changes the flow direction of a fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow direction change through curved geometry:

Data Source

PatentUS11504493B2Curved connection unit for connecting a patient to a medical device

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 DRAGERWERK AG

AI summary

A connection unit establishes a fluid connection between a patient and a ventilator. The connection unit includes a patient-side connection piece, a device-side connection piece, a port piece and a central piece, which provides a tube with a curved tube segment and is connected with a fluid-tight connection to the two connection pieces. The port piece includes a straight tube segment and a bent surface with a bent surface and with a passage opening. The port piece is inserted into a receiving opening of the central piece. The bent surface of the port piece forms a part of a wall of the curved tube segment. The straight tube segment of the port piece and the central piece provide a straight tube, which is interrupted by the passage opening. An additional device is insertable through the straight tube segment and through the passage opening into the provided tube.