Humidifier Adaptor with Tangential Outlet for Ventilator Fluid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventilator circuits face challenges in removing fluids and debris, such as patient secretions, without disconnecting the system, which can lead to contamination and interruptions in oxygen delivery, posing risks to critical patients.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier adaptor with a housing featuring a tangential outlet and a drain outlet is used to collect and evacuate fluids and debris from the ventilator system, allowing for continuous operation without disconnecting the circuit, utilizing a suction source to apply negative pressure and remove collected fluids and debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water traps are attached to ventilator circuits to collect patient secretions and fluids, then fluid collection capability is improved, but device complexity and positioning constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water trap is divided into modular components including a removable cap, a trap body with measurement markings, and connection interfaces. This segmentation allows the trap to be easily attached and detached from the ventilator circuit without complex positioning requirements, while still providing effective fluid collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The water trap is designed with universal connection interfaces that can be attached to various ventilator circuit configurations. The trap serves multiple functions including fluid collection, volume measurement through markings, and can be positioned at different locations in the circuit without compromising its water trapping effectiveness.
2Productivity
If water traps are positioned at low points in the ventilator circuit to enable fluid flow, then fluid drainage efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to positioning restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The water trap incorporates a valve mechanism that can be opened or closed to control fluid drainage. This dynamic control allows the trap to function effectively regardless of its position in the circuit, as the valve can be opened to enable drainage when needed and closed to prevent backflow or contamination, providing positioning flexibility without sacrificing drainage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve acts as an intermediary between the water trap chamber and the drainage path. By controlling the valve, operators can enable or disable drainage independent of the trap's gravitational position, allowing the trap to be placed in convenient locations while maintaining effective fluid removal capability when required.
3Quantity of substance
If ventilator circuit is disconnected to clean or replace tubing, then fluid and debris removal effectiveness is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to interruption in oxygen delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The water trap is designed as a removable component that can be detached from the ventilator circuit independently of the main tubing. This allows operators to empty or replace the trap without disconnecting the patient interface or interrupting oxygen delivery, thereby maintaining continuous therapy while effectively removing collected fluids and debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The water trap provides continuous fluid collection throughout the ventilator operation without requiring circuit disconnection. The trap can be emptied or replaced while the ventilator continues to deliver oxygen to the patient, ensuring uninterrupted therapeutic action while maintaining effective fluid and debris removal capability.
4Quantity of substance
If ventilator circuit is disconnected for cleaning, then fluid removal capability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of biological contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The water trap is extracted as a separate, removable component from the main ventilator circuit. This design allows the trap to be emptied or replaced without disconnecting the patient interface or main tubing, eliminating the risk of contaminating the patient circuit during maintenance while preserving effective fluid removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The water trap serves as an intermediary collection chamber that isolates fluids and debris from the patient's respiratory circuit. By concentrating all fluid collection in this removable trap, the design prevents contamination of the main circuit while maintaining effective fluid removal, as the trap can be emptied or replaced without exposing the patient circuit to contamination risks.
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
Enables safe and convenient removal of fluids and debris from ventilator circuits without interrupting oxygen delivery, reducing the risk of contamination and maintaining continuous airflow to patients.
Implementation Method 1
a suction source connected to the drain outlet for applying negative pressure to the chamber to remove the collected fluids and debris
Data Source
AI summary
A humidifier adaptor for evacuating fluid and/or debris from a ventilator system includes a housing having a base, a top, and at least one sidewall, which together define a chamber and an inlet in the base of the housing extending into the chamber. The inlet includes a first end configured to receive air from a humidifier, a second end in the chamber, and a sidewall. The second end of the inlet can be positioned to at least partially inhibit the fluid and/or debris from entering an interior portion of the inlet. The humidifier adaptor also includes a tangential outlet in the at least one sidewall of the housing through which the air flows substantially tangentially out of the chamber. The humidifier adaptor also includes a drain outlet in the base of the housing for removing fluid and/or debris from the ventilator system by evacuation through the chamber.