Medical Humidifier Coupling Structure for Fast Sterile Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical humidifiers face challenges in reducing coupling time and minimizing internal contamination, leading to reduced convenience and safety due to the need for periodic sterilization and reuse.
Innovation Solution
A one-touch integrated-coupling-type medical humidifier design featuring a humidification container with a first coupling part and a cap with a second coupling part that can be fitted and coupled in a single action, incorporating structural integration to enhance safety and convenience by preventing reuse through breakage during separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the humidifier is designed for reuse with replenishment of purified water, then the device can be used multiple times, but endotoxin and bacterial proliferation occur in the humidification container leading to secondary infection problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable humidification container that is discarded after single use, eliminating the risk of bacterial proliferation and endotoxin contamination associated with reusable containers. The container includes a breakable coupling part that prevents reuse, ensuring that each container is used only once and then disposed of safely.
2Productivity
If periodic sterilization is required for reuse, then the humidifier can be reused, but convenience of use for medical staff and patients is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By making the humidification container disposable, the patent eliminates the need for periodic sterilization processes entirely. Medical staff and patients simply replace the container with a new sterile one, significantly improving convenience while maintaining safety standards.
3Ease of manufacture
If a traditional coupling mechanism is used for the cap and humidification container, then the components can be assembled, but coupling time is increased and internal contamination may occur during the coupling process
Solution Approach 1:
The cap and humidification container are pre-designed with complementary coupling structures (protrusion and recess) that guide automatic alignment during assembly. This preliminary design of the coupling geometry enables rapid one-touch assembly without requiring manual alignment or multiple adjustment steps, reducing coupling time while preventing contamination.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling structure allows separation and reuse, then the components can be disassembled and reassembled, but internal contamination may occur during the coupling process
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure includes a breakable coupling part that allows initial assembly but prevents separation and reuse. This design enables the container to be assembled sterilely while discarded after use, eliminating the risk of contamination from repeated assembly and disassembly cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
A one-touch integrated-coupling-type medical humidifier may include a humidification container accommodating a fluid and having an open upper portion, a cap coupled to the open upper portion of the humidification container, and a gas pipe coupled to a lower portion of the cap and inserted into the humidification container, in which the humidification container includes a first coupling part protruding upward and having a closed curve-shaped cross-section, and in which the cap includes a second coupling part protruding downward and fitted with and coupled to the first coupling part.