Heated Respiratory Hose Connection for Uniform Condensation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heated respiratory hose assemblies face issues with condensation within hoses, uneven heating, and complex sensor placement, leading to potential obstruction and patient safety risks due to liquid water accumulation and incorrect sensor positioning.
Innovation Solution
A heated respiratory hose assembly with integrated heating wires within the support helix for uniform heat distribution, minimal fittings to reduce assembly errors, and a design that incorporates sensors and electrical connectors to ensure correct placement and operation, including a pigtail configuration for electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating wires are laid inside hoses to raise temperature above dew point, then condensation is avoided, but heating becomes uneven and portions of the hose may still experience condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independent heating zones along the hose length, each with its own heating element and temperature control. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently, ensuring uniform heating throughout the entire hose and preventing condensation in all sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the hose are equipped with heating elements of varying power or configuration based on local thermal requirements. Sections more prone to condensation receive enhanced heating, while other sections use standard heating, optimizing overall heating uniformity and preventing condensation effectively.
2Reliability
If water traps are added to hoses to allow liquid water pooling, then gas flow obstruction is minimized, but device complexity increases and regular emptying is required
Solution Approach 1:
The water trap function is extracted from the hose assembly and replaced by the heating system that prevents condensation formation in the first place. By eliminating the need for separate water traps, the device complexity is reduced while maintaining reliable gas flow continuity through condensation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful condensation that would normally require water traps to manage is converted into a benefit by using heating elements to prevent condensation formation entirely. This transforms the problem of water accumulation into a preventive heating solution, eliminating the need for complex water trap mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fittings are used to connect hose lengths and sensors, then assembly flexibility is improved, but assembly errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate fittings and sensor mounting points are merged into integrated connection components. The fittings incorporate built-in sensor mounting features and alignment guides, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining assembly flexibility and improving sensor placement accuracy through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor mounting features and alignment references are pre-configured in the fittings during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that sensors are automatically positioned correctly during assembly, eliminating placement errors while preserving the flexibility to assemble different hose configurations.
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 solution prevents condensation, reduces assembly errors, and ensures safe and effective operation by maintaining consistent heat within the hoses and facilitating correct sensor placement, thereby enhancing patient safety and reducing the risk of equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
Another prior art effort to address such issues is to lay heating wires inside each of such hoses to raise the temperature of the gases therein to be higher than the dew point, thereby avoiding the occurrence of condensation altogether.
Implementation Method 2
A heated respiratory hose assembly with integrated heating wires within the support helix for uniform heat distribution
Data Source
AI summary
Unwinding a portion of a support helix that comprises a heating wire from a wall of a hose at an end of the hose; sleeving a length of heatshrink tubing at least partly onto the unwound portion of the support helix; heating the heatshrink tubing to shrink onto at least part of the unwound portion of the support helix; and at an end of the unwound portion, directly connecting the heating wire to an electrical contact of an electrical connector.