Gas Mixture Generator with Permeation Module for Oxygen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to create a ternary gas mixture of nitrous oxide (N2O), oxygen (O2), and nitrogen (N2) with controlled O2 concentration, particularly at 30 mol %, while minimizing the number of pressurized gas sources for home use, especially for patients with comorbidities like chronic cardiac insufficiency or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Innovation Solution
A gas mixture generator apparatus with a permeation module using hollow fibers to separate gas mixtures, controlled by solenoid valves and sensors, adjusts the N2O and O2 concentrations by selectively permeating gases through a membrane, allowing for a single cylinder to produce a non-hypoxic premix with adjustable N2O content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a 50% N2O/50% O2 premix is used from a single cylinder, then the device complexity is reduced, but the oxygen concentration cannot be controlled to avoid hyperoxia in patients with comorbidities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a permeation module with hollow fibers containing a selective membrane that allows N2O to permeate through while blocking O2. This porous material approach enables the system to selectively separate N2O from the 50% N2O/50% O2 premix, reducing oxygen concentration to safe levels while maintaining device simplicity by using only one gas cylinder.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the oxygen concentration is reduced to 30% to prevent hyperoxia, then patient safety is improved, but creating the ternary mixture requires multiple pressurized gas sources increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The permeation module acts as an intermediary device between the single N2O/O2 cylinder and the patient. It selectively removes N2O from the premix through membrane permeation, allowing the system to achieve the desired 30% O2 concentration without requiring separate O2 and N2 cylinders, thus preventing hyperoxia while maintaining device simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If a single cylinder with 50% N2O/50% O2 is used, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to control N2O concentration independently of O2 concentration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the concentration parameters dynamically by controlling the permeation rate of N2O through the membrane. By adjusting operational parameters such as pressure and flow rate through the permeation module, the system can independently control the final N2O concentration in the delivered mixture while maintaining a fixed safe O2 concentration of 30%, thus providing adaptability without compromising ease of operation.
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 apparatus effectively generates a gas mixture with precise O2 and N2O concentrations, ensuring patient safety by minimizing oxygen levels and reducing the number of gas sources required, suitable for home use and reducing the risk of hyperoxia or hypoxemia.
Implementation Method 1
at least one permeation module arranged on the second gas line, the said permeation module comprising a feed port in fluidic communication with the second gas line, a retentate port and a permeate port
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (1) for supplying a gas mixture to a patient, having a gas inlet line (30) with a gas inlet orifice (30a) that splits into a first gas line (31) and a second gas line (32); at least one permeation module (33) arranged on the second gas line (32), the said permeation module (33) having a feed port (33a) in fluidic communication with the second gas line (32), a retentate port (33b) and a permeate port (33c); a third gas line (34) in fluidic communication with the retentate port (33b) of the permeation module (33); a fourth gas line (35) in fluidic communication with the permeate port (33c) of the permeation module (33), and coupling fluidically to the said first gas line (31); and a source (360) of air in fluidic communication with the first gas line (31) and the fourth gas line (35).