Gas Delivery Unit Segmentation for Anesthesia Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anesthesia delivery systems face challenges in safely and efficiently providing supplemental oxygen during procedures, particularly due to the risk of accidental delivery of anesthetic agents and the hazards associated with high oxygen concentrations, such as fire and respiratory suppression.

Innovation Solution

A gas delivery unit with regulating valves and flow measurement devices allows for the selection between two gas delivery paths, enabling the bypassing of anesthetic agents to deliver pure oxygen or oxygen-air mixtures directly to the patient, while preventing the accidental delivery of anesthetic agents and reducing fire risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a common fresh gas outlet is used to deliver supplemental oxygen, then oxygen delivery is simplified, but there is a risk of accidental delivery of anesthetic agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen deliveryVSAvoidagent delivery safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gas delivery system is segmented into separate pathways: a first pathway delivers oxygen-containing gas through a first outlet, while a second pathway delivers anesthetic agent through a second outlet. This segmentation ensures that oxygen and anesthetic agents are delivered through distinct channels, eliminating the risk of accidental anesthetic agent delivery when supplemental oxygen is provided.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The oxygen delivery function is extracted from the common fresh gas outlet and implemented as a separate auxiliary gas outlet. This allows oxygen to be delivered independently from the anesthetic agent delivery system, ensuring that supplemental oxygen can be provided without risking accidental anesthetic agent delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If 100% oxygen is delivered to the patient, then supplemental oxygen requirements are met, but fire risk and respiratory suppression increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen concentrationVSAvoidfire risk and respiratory suppression

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of oxygen concentration parameters in the delivered gas. Instead of fixed 100% oxygen delivery, the system can provide oxygen-containing gas at varying concentrations (e.g., 21-100% oxygen), enabling optimization of oxygen supply while minimizing harmful effects such as fire risk and respiratory suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If anesthetic agent is delivered through the breathing circuit, then anesthesia is provided, but accidental delivery to the patient may occur during oxygen supplementation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanesthesia deliveryVSAvoidaccidental anesthetic exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses separate outlet pathways as intermediaries between the gas sources and the patient. The first outlet serves as an intermediary for oxygen-containing gas, while the second outlet serves as an intermediary for anesthetic agent delivery, preventing direct mixing or accidental delivery of the wrong gas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2599515B1Gas delivery unit for delivering breathing gas for subject breathing and arrangement for maintaining vital functions of a subject

Publication Date: 2016.03.16 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

A gas delivery unit and method for delivering gas for subject breathing is disclosed herein. The gas delivery unit includes a first regulating valve (33) for regulating a first gas flow and a second regulating valve (34) for regulating a second gas flow. The gas delivery unit also includes a first flow measurement device (35) for providing a signal indicative of the first gas flow, and a second flow measurement device (35) for providing a signal indicative of the second gas flow. The gas delivery unit further includes at least one anesthetic agent supply (37) for supplying in case of need an anesthetic agent and mixing with the first and/or second gas flow for delivering, and a valve unit (29) being in flow communication with at least one of the first and second flow measurement device for delivering gas in case of need for breathing bypassing the anesthetic agent supply.