Helical Tube Incentive Spirometer for Sustained Inspiration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current incentive spirometers fail to differentiate between sustained maximal inspiration and rapid inspiratory bursts, lack motivation for pediatric patients, and result in improper or sporadic use, leading to prolonged lung recovery and hospital stays.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional incentive spirometer with helical tubes and baskets that require sustained inhalation to move a ball through a spiral path, incorporating a push-down button mechanism and adjustable air flow to align with the user's lung capacity levels, providing a visually engaging and motivating experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a simple gauge indicator is used to show lung volume, then the device is easy to manufacture and operate, but it cannot differentiate between sustained maximal inspiration and rapid inspiratory bursts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a helical (spiral) tube instead of a straight tube to create a curved path that the ball must traverse. This helical geometry forces the ball to move in a controlled spiral pattern during inhalation, allowing the system to distinguish between sustained maximal inspiration (where the ball completes the helical path) and rapid inspiratory bursts (where the ball cannot complete the path due to insufficient time and pressure). The curvature of the helical tube thus provides the differentiation capability without requiring complex electronic sensors or multiple components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional gauge is used, then the device structure is simple, but it lacks motivation for pediatric patients to continue using the spirometer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual elements including colored zones along the helical tube and colored baskets at different heights. As the ball travels through the helical tube and reaches different colored zones, it provides visual feedback and motivation to the user. This color-based visual incentive system engages pediatric patients by making the breathing exercise more game-like and visually appealing, encouraging them to continue using the spirometer without adding complex electronic or mechanical components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no visual feedback mechanism is provided, then the device is simpler, but it cannot hold the user's attention or motivate sustained use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual elements including colored zones along the helical tube and colored baskets at different heights. As the ball travels through the helical tube and reaches different colored zones, it provides visual feedback and motivation to the user. This color-based visual incentive system engages pediatric patients by making the breathing exercise more game-like and visually appealing, encouraging them to continue using the spirometer without adding complex electronic or mechanical components.
4Reliability
If the spirometer does not provide adequate motivation, then the device is simpler, but improper or sporadic use prolongs lung recovery and hospital stays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual elements including colored zones along the helical tube and colored baskets at different heights. As the ball travels through the helical tube and reaches different colored zones, it provides visual feedback and motivation to the user. This color-based visual incentive system engages pediatric patients by making the breathing exercise more game-like and visually appealing, encouraging them to continue using the spirometer without adding complex electronic or mechanical components.
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
Encourages sustained maximal inspiration, strengthens respiratory muscles, and aids in lung capacity development through repetitive use, while being simple to operate and cost-effective for large-scale production.
Implementation Method 1
building low pressure within the air tube and the helical tube through the inhalation, wherein the low pressure causes an object to travel through the helical tube
Implementation Method 2
the reciprocating gate is coupled to a push down button. Here, the push down button is configured to align an aperture of the reciprocating gate with an outlet of the helical tube
Implementation Method 3
a ball traveling upwards through a helical tube and subsequently dropping down through a basket
Data Source
AI summary
An incentive spirometer is disclosed having a helical tube, wherein the helical tube includes a first inlet, second outlet, third outlet, and fourth outlet. The spirometer further includes a chamber, wherein the chamber is in fluid communication with the first inlet, second outlet, third outlet, and fourth outlet of the helical tube; and an object disposed within the spirometer, wherein the object is adapted to move through the first inlet of the helical tube and through either the second outlet, third outlet, or fourth outlet. In addition, the spirometer further includes an inhalation draw tube in fluid communication with the chamber and helical tube.