Dual-Impeller Emergency Ventilator for Contamination-Free Oxygen Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for artificial ventilation, such as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, pose risks of contamination and reduced oxygen delivery due to the use of exhaled air, which is rich in carbon dioxide, in emergency medical situations outside of hospitals or ambulances.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising two portions with separate airflow paths and impellers, where the movement of a first impeller, driven by exhaled air or a mechanical source, causes corresponding movement of a second impeller to impel atmospheric air to the patient, minimizing contamination and ensuring higher oxygen delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is used to provide artificial ventilation, then ventilation can be provided in field settings without specialized equipment, but the risk of contamination increases and oxygen delivery is reduced due to carbon dioxide in exhaled air
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate portions: a first portion that receives exhaled air to drive the impeller, and a second portion that delivers atmospheric air to the patient. This segmentation allows the system to use the rescuer's exhaled air solely for mechanical actuation while preventing any contamination of the patient with CO2-rich air, thus resolving the contradiction between portability and contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller system acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts the kinetic energy from exhaled air into rotational motion, which then drives the delivery of clean atmospheric air to the patient. This intermediary mechanism decouples the source of mechanical power from the source of breathable air, eliminating direct contact between exhaled and delivered air streams.
2Ease of operation
If mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is used to provide artificial ventilation, then ventilation can be provided in field settings without specialized equipment, but oxygen delivery is reduced due to carbon dioxide in exhaled air
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the airflow paths into separate first and second portions, the system ensures that the patient receives only atmospheric air with normal oxygen concentrations, while the exhaled air containing carbon dioxide is used exclusively for driving the impeller mechanism. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high oxygen delivery while preserving field portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device extracts and separates the oxygen-rich atmospheric air from the CO2-containing exhaled air, using only the clean atmospheric air for patient ventilation. This extraction principle ensures maximum oxygen delivery to the patient while the exhaled air serves solely as a mechanical actuator.
3Quantity of substance
If mechanical ventilation equipment is used to provide artificial ventilation, then oxygen delivery can be optimized, but the equipment becomes cumbersome and difficult to transport to patients in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the rescuer's own exhaled air as the power source to drive the impeller, eliminating the need for external power sources, batteries, or complex mechanical drive systems. This self-service approach maintains optimized oxygen delivery through atmospheric air while keeping the device simple and portable for field use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using the kinetic energy of exhaled air to rotate the impeller, which then delivers atmospheric air to the patient. This pneumatic actuation mechanism replaces complex mechanical or electrical systems, achieving optimized oxygen delivery with a simple, portable device suitable for field conditions.
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 device effectively reduces the risk of contamination and increases oxygen delivery to patients by using atmospheric air instead of exhaled air, providing a more efficient and safer means of artificial ventilation in emergency settings.
Implementation Method 1
a first impeller configured to move in response to airflow from the first airflow inlet contacting the first impeller
Implementation Method 2
a second impeller, and an outlet for communicating airflow to a patient, the second portion defining a second airflow path; and means for coupling the first portion and the second portion, such that movement of the first impeller causes corresponding movement of the second impeller, wherein the second impeller is configured to impel air through the second airflow inlet and out of the outlet to the patient
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for delivering air to a patient are provided. A device includes a first portion having a first airflow inlet and a first impeller configured to move in response to airflow from the first airflow inlet contacting the first impeller, the first portion defining a first airflow path; a second portion having a second airflow inlet, a second impeller, and an outlet for communicating airflow to a patient, the second portion defining a second airflow path; and means for coupling the first portion and the second portion, such that movement of the first impeller causes corresponding movement of the second impeller, wherein the second impeller is configured to impel air through the second airflow inlet and out of the outlet to the patient, upon movement of the second impeller and wherein the first and second airflow paths are not in fluid communication.