Humidifier Bypass Valve for Ventilator Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilator respiration circuits face challenges during transport due to the need to disconnect humidifiers, which can disrupt therapy, introduce biohazards, and cause water leakage, leading to occlusion of the breathing path.

Innovation Solution

A bypass valve system that controls fluid flow between the respiration circuit and the humidifier chamber, allowing for a switchable flow path to maintain therapy continuity and prevent biohazard introduction by directing fluid through a conduit when the humidifier is disconnected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the humidifier is disconnected from the respiration circuit during transport, then water leakage and occlusion of the breathing path are prevented, but therapy is disrupted and biohazards are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater leakage and occlusionVSAvoidtherapy continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the flow control function into two separate valve portions (first valve portion at the inlet and second valve portion at the outlet) that can independently control flow paths. This segmentation allows the circuit to maintain therapy continuity through the bypass conduit while isolating the humidifier chamber, preventing water leakage and biohazard introduction during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass conduit acts as an intermediary flow path that allows gas to travel from the inlet to the outlet without passing through the humidifier chamber. This intermediary path enables therapy continuity while preventing direct contact with the humidifier chamber, thereby avoiding water leakage and biohazard introduction during disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the humidifier is disconnected from the respiration circuit, then transport mobility is improved, but therapy disruption and biohazard introduction occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport mobilityVSAvoidbiohazard introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the flow control into two independent valve portions, the system allows the humidifier to be disconnected for transport while maintaining a sealed bypass path. This prevents biohazard introduction because the bypass conduit provides a controlled, closed flow path that does not require humidifier connection during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass valve system provides multi-functionality by serving both as a humidifier connection interface (when connected) and as a standalone bypass flow control device (when disconnected). This universal design enables the same valve assembly to support both humidified therapy during stationary use and safe transport without humidifier connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the humidifier remains connected during transport, then therapy continuity is maintained, but water leakage and occlusion of the breathing path occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy continuityVSAvoidwater leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The division of flow control into two separate valve portions allows independent management of the inlet and outlet sides of the humidifier connection. When the humidifier is disconnected during transport, both valve portions can seal their respective interfaces, directing flow through the bypass conduit and preventing water leakage while maintaining therapy continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the disconnection process is performed manually, then device complexity is reduced, but therapy disruption and alarm signals are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection processVSAvoidtherapy disruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass valve system is pre-configured with both valve portions and the bypass conduit in place before disconnection is needed. The valves can be pre-positioned to seal the humidifier interfaces, so when disconnection occurs during transport, therapy continues uninterrupted through the already-prepared bypass path, avoiding alarm signals and therapy disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9504799B2Humidifier bypass valve

Publication Date: 2016.11.29 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A valve (30) for controlling a flow of fluid, the valve having a conduit, first valve portion having an inlet, a first humidifier interface, and a first conduit opening to the conduit. The first valve portion defines a switchable flow path between the inlet and either the first humidifier interface or the first conduit opening. A second valve portion has an outlet, a second humidifier interface, and a second conduit opening to the conduit. The second valve portion defines a switchable flow path between the outlet and either the second humidifier interface or the second conduit opening. Responsive to the first and/or second humidifier interfaces being connected to a humidifier chamber, the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet through the humidifier chamber, and responsive to the first and second humidifier interfaces being disconnected from the humidifier chamber, the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet through the conduit.