Demand Gas Flow Valve Apparatus for Medical Respiratory Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing demand gas flow valve systems for medical respiratory applications are cumbersome, prone to contamination, and inefficient in scavenging exhaled gases, leading to potential environmental contamination and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A demand gas flow valve apparatus that responds to negative pressure from patient inhalation, featuring a one-way valve mechanism with a resilient bias member and a transverse divider wall, allowing gas flow only during inspiration and preventing backflow during exhalation, integrated with a breathing circuit system for efficient gas delivery and scavenging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a demand gas flow valve system is used for medical respiratory applications, then gas delivery efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is divided into distinct functional components: a demand valve assembly with valve body and valve member, a separate resilient bias member, and an integrated transverse divider wall with scavenging port. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall system design and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse divider wall is integrated directly into the valve body structure, combining the scavenging chamber formation and gas flow separation functions within the same structural element. This merging eliminates the need for separate scavenging components while maintaining efficient gas delivery and waste gas removal.
2Manufacturing precision
If a one-way valve mechanism with resilient bias member is used, then gas flow control precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient bias member is positioned specifically within the valve body to exert localized force on the valve member, ensuring precise control of the valve opening and closing actions. This localized application of elastic force provides accurate gas flow control without requiring complex manufacturing processes for the entire valve assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient bias member acts as an intermediary element between the valve member and the valve body, providing the necessary restoring force for valve closure without requiring direct mechanical linkage or complex spring mechanisms. This intermediary approach simplifies manufacturing while maintaining precise flow control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If gas flow is restricted to inspiration only, then environmental contamination is reduced, but loss of gas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse divider wall with its scavenging port extracts waste gas from the exhalation pathway and directs it through a separate scavenging channel to the scavenging port. This extraction of waste gas prevents its release into the environment while maintaining the one-way flow restriction that reduces overall gas loss during inspiration-only delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potentially harmful exhaled waste gas into a beneficial scavenged flow by directing it through the transverse divider wall's scavenging port. This transformation allows the waste gas to be removed efficiently without compromising the primary function of delivering fresh gas only during inspiration, thereby reducing both environmental contamination and overall gas waste.
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 a compact, efficient, and safe means for self-administration of gases like nitrous oxide and oxygen, reducing the risk of contamination and patient discomfort by ensuring gas flow only during inhalation and preventing environmental leakage.
Implementation Method 1
A demand gas flow valve apparatus that responds to negative pressure from patient inhalation
Implementation Method 2
featuring a one-way valve mechanism with a resilient bias member
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing circuit system for delivering gas from a fresh source to a user through a face mask. The system includes a cylindrical housing and a resiliently-biased valve supported substantially centrally within the housing. In the default or “off” position, the resilient bias causes the valve to be seated on a valve seat shutting off axial flow of gas through the valve housing. When the patient or user breathes, negative pressure is applied to one side of the valve effective to sufficiently overcome the resilient bias imposed on the valve to move the valve off the valve seat axially (or otherwise open in another direction) within the housing, thereby allowing flow of gas through both the valve seat and the valve housing, and into the breathing circuit connected thereto. When the patient's breathing pauses and begins to exhale, the valve bias returns the valve to its default or off condition shutting off flow of gas through the valve.