Disposable Fluid Distribution Device for Mechanical Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical ventilation systems and endotracheal tubes lack efficient fluid control and distribution mechanisms, particularly during cuff inflation and suctioning processes, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased maintenance complexity.
Innovation Solution
A fluid distribution device comprising a disposable enclosure with a first and second manifold connected via fluid interconnectors, each controllable by a valve system. This device includes disposable connectors for cuff inflation and vacuum operations, allowing for separate flow paths and efficient fluid management during mechanical ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional mechanical ventilation system with integrated fluid control is used, then the system structure is simple, but the control precision of fluid flow and maintenance complexity are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a reusable control unit and a disposable fluid distribution device. The control unit contains the valve system and electronics for precise fluid flow control, while the fluid distribution device includes manifolds and connectors that are discarded after use. This segmentation allows the control unit to be sterilized and reused, improving control precision while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid distribution device is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need to sterilize the control system between patients, as the disposable portion is replaced with a new sterile unit. The reusable control unit can be sterilized and reused, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high control precision.
2Reliability
If the control system is sterilized between patients, then infection control is improved, but maintenance complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates sterilizable components (control unit) from non-sterilizable components (fluid distribution device). The control unit can be sterilized between patients, while the fluid distribution device is disposed of after single use, ensuring infection control without the complexity of sterilizing entire systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid distribution device is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need to sterilize the control system between patients, as the disposable portion is replaced with a new sterile unit, thereby improving infection control while reducing maintenance complexity.
3Productivity
If separate flow paths are implemented for different fluid operations, then fluid management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid distribution device includes separate manifolds for different fluid operations (cuff inflation, suction, etc.), each with dedicated flow paths. This segmentation enables efficient fluid management by allowing simultaneous or independent control of different fluid streams, while the modular design keeps device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to control multiple fluid operations through a single interface, providing multi-functionality. The valve system can direct fluid flow to different manifolds based on operational requirements, improving fluid management efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid distribution device comprises a disposable enclosure, and disposable fluid connectors connectable to compatible panel connectors of a control system. The fluid distribution device can also comprise, within the enclosure, a two manifolds connected to each other via a plurality of fluid interconnectors each being controllable by a valve system. One manifold can comprise a fluid inlet for receiving fluid from one of the panel connectors, and the other manifold can comprise a plurality of fluid distribution ports adapted for establishing fluid communications between the fluid interconnectors and fluid lines external to the fluid distribution device.