Humidification Canister With Insulating Gas Flow for Breathing Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods of delivering breathing gas to the respiratory tract often cause discomfort to patients, especially over extended periods, necessitating improved methods and apparatus for heating and humidifying the gas.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a base unit that generates two gas flows, one for heating and humidifying and another for insulation, using a humidification canister and delivery tube assembly with separate lumens for each flow to minimize heat loss and maintain humidity, ensuring comfortable delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used to deliver breathing gas, then the device complexity is low, but patient comfort deteriorates due to discomfort from extended gas delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gas flow into separate paths: a first gas flow path for breathing gas delivery and a second gas flow path for insulation. The delivery tube assembly is segmented into multiple lumens, with an inner lumen for breathing gas and an outer lumen for insulation gas, allowing independent control and optimization of each function while improving patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
A second gas flow path serves as an intermediary insulation layer between the heated humidified breathing gas and the external environment. This insulating gas flow reduces heat loss and condensation without directly contacting the patient, thereby improving comfort while managing system complexity through functional separation.
2Ease of operation
If heating and humidification are applied to breathing gas, then patient comfort improves, but heat loss and condensation increase without proper insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery tube assembly employs a nested structure where the inner lumen containing the heated humidified breathing gas is surrounded by an outer lumen containing the insulating gas flow. This nested arrangement allows the insulation function to be integrated within the delivery structure, reducing heat loss while maintaining the heating and humidification benefits for patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The second gas flow path acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the heated breathing gas and the external environment. This insulating gas layer reduces direct heat transfer to the surroundings and prevents condensation on the delivery tube, thereby minimizing energy loss while preserving the therapeutic effects of heating and humidification.
3Loss of energy
If a single gas flow path is used, then the device complexity is low, but heat loss and condensation occur without effective insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The gas delivery system is segmented into functionally independent paths: a first gas flow path for delivering heated humidified breathing gas and a second gas flow path for providing insulation. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall heat loss while managing complexity through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional gas flow path to a multi-dimensional flow configuration with concentric or adjacent paths. The inner lumen for breathing gas is surrounded by an outer lumen for insulation gas, creating a spatial arrangement that adds an insulation dimension to the delivery system, thereby reducing heat loss effectively.
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 system effectively heats and humidifies breathing gas while reducing heat loss and condensation, providing adjustable temperature and humidity levels for enhanced patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a humidification canister configured to be coupled to the base unit. The humidification canister includes a first gas flow path configured to receive and humidify the first flow of gas
Implementation Method 2
reducing heat loss and condensation
Implementation Method 3
insulating at least a portion of the first flow of gas passing along the first gas flow path with the second flow of gas passing along the second gas flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A humidification canister for humidifying a breathing gas, the humidification canister includes a fluid supply configured to supply a fluid and a first gas flow path in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A first gas flow path is configured to humidify the breathing gas with the fluid. A second gas flow path at least partially surrounds the first gas flow path. A method of insulating a breathing gas in a humidification canister using a gas is also disclosed.