Electronic Anesthesia Delivery Apparatus with Touchscreen Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional anesthesia delivery machines are inaccurate due to mechanical wear, require frequent maintenance, and are not cost-effective for switching between anesthetic agents, with physicians needing to manually adjust multiple controls, which complicates anesthesia delivery.

Innovation Solution

An electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus with a touchscreen interface, electronically controlled valves, and chambers that allow for easy conversion between anesthetic agents without wicking material, providing precise control over anesthesia concentration and flow rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mechanical vaporizers are used, then anesthesia delivery can be achieved, but accuracy deteriorates due to mechanical wear and requires frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaporizer accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical vaporizer system with an electronic vaporizer system that uses electronically controlled valves and sensors to regulate anesthetic delivery. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and improves accuracy while reducing maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional vaporizers with wicking material are used, then anesthesia delivery is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates when switching between anesthetic agents requiring replacement of entire canisters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion between anesthetic agentsVSAvoidcanister replacement requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vaporizer system into a reusable electronic housing and interchangeable canisters. This allows the electronic components to remain while only the consumable canister needs replacement when switching between anesthetic agents, improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic vaporizer housing is designed to be universal and compatible with multiple anesthetic agent types. The electronically controlled system can accommodate different canister types, eliminating the need to replace the entire device when switching between agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional vaporizers are used, then anesthesia delivery is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to inability to be easily converted to new drug types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug type conversionVSAvoidcost effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the system into a permanent electronic housing and disposable canisters, the patent reduces manufacturing costs. The expensive electronic components are reused across multiple drug types, while only the inexpensive canister is replaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If multiple mechanical controls are distributed throughout the anesthesia machine, then flow control is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates requiring physicians to look to different locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol interface convenienceVSAvoidcontrol distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges all control functions into a single integrated electronic interface. The touchscreen display consolidates what would traditionally be multiple separate mechanical controls distributed throughout the machine, improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 electronic system enhances accuracy, reduces maintenance needs, and allows for easy upgrades and agent changes, simplifying anesthesia delivery by integrating all controls into a single interface.

Implementation Method 1

a wicking material. As the wicking material absorbs the anesthetic agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

oxygen flows by the wicking material and vaporizes the anesthetic agent molecules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS7836882B1Electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.11.23 VETLAND MEDICAL SALES & SERVICES LLC

AI summary

An electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus having a chassis including a first anesthetic agent chamber and a second anesthetic agent chamber, each of the first and second chambers including an anesthetic agent therein. At least one electronically controlled valve is in fluid communication with each of the first agent chamber and the second agent chamber and an oxygen source. The oxygen source is in fluid communication with each of the at least one electronically controlled valves. A touchscreen graphic display having controls corresponding to each of the at least one electronically controlled valves for controlling flow rate and concentration of anesthesia.