Fluid-Draining Respiratory Mask With Dual Pressure Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory masks fail to effectively drain bodily fluids from the breathing cavity when patients are unconscious or unable to maintain a fluid connection with the mouth interface, especially during vomiting or fluid production.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory mask design with integrated positive and negative pressure tubes, allowing simultaneous breathing assistance and fluid drainage via a pressure generation device and suction device, respectively, with a one-way valve for fluid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate mouth interface with suction device is used to remove mucus, then mucus removal capability is improved, but the device cannot handle vomiting or other bodily fluids from unconscious patients
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is designed with both a positive pressure aperture for breathing assistance and a negative pressure aperture for fluid drainage, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions including handling both mucus and vomiting fluids from unconscious patients
Solution Approach 2:
The separate mouth interface is merged into the main mask body by integrating both positive and negative pressure apertures directly into the mask, eliminating the need for separate interfaces and tubing connections
2Adaptability or versatility
If tubes are placed in communication with the entire breathing cavity, then fluid drainage capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid drainage function is extracted as a separate negative pressure aperture and tube system, allowing independent operation from the positive pressure breathing system while maintaining simplicity through dedicated pathways
3Reliability
If simultaneous breathing assistance and fluid drainage are provided, then patient care effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure system is segmented into independent positive and negative pressure circuits with separate apertures and tubes, allowing simultaneous operation of breathing assistance and fluid drainage without interference between the two functions
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
Enables continuous or intermittent fluid drainage from the breathing cavity while maintaining effective breathing assistance, ensuring patient comfort and hygiene by automatically removing fluids during use.
Implementation Method 1
A second end of the positive pressure tube is configured to be in fluid communication with a positive pressure source to receive a flow of gas into the breathing cavity via the positive pressure tube
Implementation Method 2
A second end of the negative pressure tube is configured to be in fluid communication with a negative pressure source to facilitate fluid flowing out of the breathing cavity via the negative pressure tube
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory mask for facilitating a patient's breathing via a pressure generation device includes a body that defines a breathing cavity that can be positioned receive a nose and a mouth of a patient. A positive pressure tube and a negative pressure tube are in fluid communication with the breathing cavity via separate apertures. The positive pressure tube may couple to a pressure generation device which causes a gas to flow into the breathing cavity to assist the patient in breathing. The negative pressure tube may be coupled to a suction device which is operable to collect fluid from the breathing cavity such as vomit, spit, or the like.