Foot Pedal Flow Switching Between Oxygen and Vacuum Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical systems for bronchoscopes, laryngoscopes, and esophagoscopes lack a simple and efficient means to alternately switch between oxygen supply and vacuum suction, requiring operators to manually manage these functions, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A foot-actuated device that switches fluid flow between a vacuum source and an oxygen source by using occluders and a pedal mechanism, allowing seamless alternation between vacuum suction and oxygen delivery through the same medical scope, with optional check valves and notification mechanisms for operator feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual button operation is used to switch between oxygen supply and vacuum suction, then the system can perform both functions, but the operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual button-operated mechanical switching system with a foot-operated pedal mechanism. This substitution allows the operator to switch between oxygen supply and vacuum suction functions using foot movements rather than hand movements, thereby reducing operational complexity and minimizing switching time during critical medical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot-operated pedal mechanism is designed to automatically switch between the two fluid sources (oxygen and vacuum) without requiring manual intervention for each switch. The pedal's mechanical linkage directly controls the switching valve, enabling the system to serve itself by converting simple foot pressure into automated function switching.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate channels are used for oxygen supply and vacuum suction, then both functions can be performed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oxygen supply channel and vacuum suction channel into a single integrated pathway that can alternatively receive either fluid source. The foot-operated pedal controls a switching mechanism that directs either oxygen or vacuum through this shared channel to the medical scope, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining dual function capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical scope is designed with a universal interface that can alternatively receive either oxygen or vacuum through the same connection point. The foot-operated switching system enables this single scope to perform multiple functions (oxygenation and suction) by alternatively connecting to different fluid sources, thus achieving multi-functionality without increasing channel complexity.
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 efficient and user-friendly switching between oxygen and vacuum functions, improving operational efficiency and safety by allowing continuous use of the same medical scope for both procedures without manual intervention, enhancing patient care.
Implementation Method 1
a first occluder configured to compress the at least one second tube; a second occluder configured to compress the at least one first tube
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for foot-actuated device to switch between a vacuum supply and an oxygen supply in a medical environment. The system enables a user to press down on the device to compress a first tube and open a second tube. When the user releases the device, the first tube is opened and the second tube is compressed.