Gas Flow Indicator Concealment Member Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas delivery devices, such as oxygen masks and bag valve masks, lack effective visual indicators for gas flow, making it difficult for medical practitioners to confirm the presence and rate of oxygen flow, which can lead to undetected failures in supplemental oxygen supply, potentially causing hypoxemia and increased morbidity and mortality.
Innovation Solution
A gas flow indicator device with an elongate housing and a concealment member that moves in response to gas flow pressure, exposing a visual indicator through a viewing window when sufficient flow is achieved, providing a clear visual confirmation of gas flow and flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gas delivery devices without flow indicators are used, then device simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but the ability to detect gas flow failures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic flow sensors and alarms with a simple mechanical indicator system. Gas flow itself moves a float or ball within a transparent window, providing visual confirmation of flow without requiring electricity, circuitry, or complex electronics. This mechanical approach maintains reliability for flow detection while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas flow itself serves as the actuating force for the indicator mechanism. The flowing gas directly moves the float or ball to indicate its presence, eliminating the need for external power sources, sensors, or electronic components. The system uses the resource being measured (gas flow) to indicate its own presence.
2Reliability
If complex alarms and flow sensors are installed in gas delivery devices, then gas flow failure detection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual indicators that change appearance based on gas flow presence. A float or ball moves within a transparent viewing window, providing clear visual distinction between flow and no-flow states. Some embodiments use colored indicators or contrast colors to enhance visibility, making it easy for operators to quickly assess gas flow status without complex displays or alarms.
Solution Approach 2:
While not the primary mechanism, some embodiments may incorporate elements that respond to gas flow dynamics through movement or positioning changes visible through the transparent window, providing intuitive visual feedback that is easy to interpret at a glance.
3Loss of information
If visual flow indicators are added to gas delivery devices, then flow confirmation capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the visual indicator as a separate, modular component within the gas delivery device. The transparent viewing window and float or ball indicator can be manufactured independently and then assembled into the device, simplifying the manufacturing process. This segmentation allows for specialized production of indicator components using simple molding or machining techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a transparent viewing window made from simple transparent materials such as plastic or glass. This thin, transparent structure is easy to manufacture and integrate into the device housing, providing the necessary optical clarity while maintaining structural integrity and being compatible with standard manufacturing processes.
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 ensures reliable visual confirmation of gas flow and flow rate, reducing the risk of undetected oxygen supply failures and enhancing patient safety by providing a clear, visible indication of adequate oxygen delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a concealment member (34) that is movable from the first end (16) of the housing (12) in response to a sufficient pressure generated by gas flow from the inlet port (22) to the outlet port (24)
Data Source
AI summary
A gas flow indicator device has a housing defining a chamber. An annular indicator extends over the chamber enabling gas to enter along a bore and is spaced from an inner surface, defining an annular space. A moveable concealment member has an annular skirt receivable into the annular space so one end provides a seal against an annular surface at an end wall while a transverse wall at the other end defines an opening providing resistance to gas flow. The skirt can be held in sealing engagement at the annular surface to conceal the indicator through a window. Increasing gas flow rate overcomes the bias of a biasing member and moves the concealment member to expose the indicator and provide a visual indication of gas flow. A fitting member has an engagement portion operable to constrain the biasing member to preclude vibrations and/or prevent its full compression.