Elastic Bulb Irrigation Device for Infant Nasal Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal irrigation and aspiration devices for newborns are either complex, expensive, require batteries, lack antibacterial properties, and have inadequate nasal tips that can damage the nasal cavity and provide insufficient sealing for effective nasal lavage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a drive assembly, evacuation chamber, and delivery apparatus that stores restoration energy to force irrigation solution out and draw aspiration fluid in, using a combination of an evacuation tube and vacuum tube with a non-porous, elastically deformable material to maintain fluid sealing and operate effectively without batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bulb suction syringe is used for nasal suctioning, then the device is simple to operate, but the insertion tip is narrow and can damage the infant's nasal cavity while providing inadequate sealing for effective nasal lavage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible, elastically deformable material (such as silicone rubber) for the bulb and insertion tip assembly. This flexible material allows the tip to deform and conform to the nasal cavity walls during insertion, creating a seal without rigid contact that could cause damage. The flexibility enables gentle adaptation to the infant's anatomy while maintaining effective sealing for lavage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing irrigation and aspiration devices are used, then both irrigation and suctioning functions are provided, but the devices are complex, expensive and require batteries to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the irrigation and aspiration functions into a single integrated device. The bulb assembly serves dual purposes: when squeezed, it forces irrigation solution through the insertion tip into the nasal cavity; when released, the elastic restoration of the bulb creates negative pressure to aspirate fluids and secretions. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate irrigation and suction devices, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes the elastic properties of the bulb material to automatically generate the suction force needed for aspiration. When the bulb is compressed during irrigation and then released, it naturally returns to its original shape, creating negative pressure that draws fluids out of the nasal cavity. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources, batteries, or complex pumping mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing solutions are used for nasal irrigation and suctioning, then the functions are provided, but they lack antibacterial properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates antibacterial properties by modifying the material composition or surface characteristics of the device components that contact the nasal cavity. This could involve using materials with inherent antibacterial properties or applying antibacterial coatings, thereby changing the chemical or surface parameters of the device to provide protective functionality while maintaining irrigation and aspiration capabilities.
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 efficiently clears nasal congestion by lubricating and draining the nasal cavity, providing quick and effective breathing relief without damaging the nasal tissue and offering antibacterial properties in a simple, single-handed operation.
Implementation Method 1
The drive assembly is configured to be moved in cooperation with the evacuation chamber to reduce the distance between the input port and the evacuation port to store a restoration energy and push a distal end of the drive assembly into the proximal end of the evacuation tube to force the irrigation fluid out of a distal end of the evacuation tube. The device is configured to release the restoration energy to increase the distance between the input port and the evacuation port to create a negative pressure within the evacuation chamber that operates to draw in the aspiration fluid
Implementation Method 2
The drive assembly is configured to store a restoration energy within the evacuation chamber and force the irrigation solution out of the evacuation tube in response to an applied force. The device is configured to use the restoration energy to draw an aspiration fluid into the vacuum tube
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation and aspiration device includes a drive assembly, an evacuation chamber, and a delivery apparatus. The delivery apparatus includes an evacuation tube configured to hold an irrigation solution and a vacuum tube that is in fluid communication with the evacuation chamber. The drive assembly is configured to store a restoration energy within the evacuation chamber and force the irrigation solution out of the evacuation tube in response to an applied force. The device is configured to use the restoration energy to draw an aspiration fluid into the vacuum tube.