Breathing Gas Humidifier with Switchable Bubbler and Surface Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing gas humidifiers are limited in their humidification performance and require frequent changes when switching between different therapy forms, leading to high handling effort and a multitude of devices needed for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A breathing gas humidifier with a water chamber and a bubbler element that can be selectively configured to direct gas flow through water or along a water surface, allowing for adjustable humidification properties without the need for device replacement, utilizing a position-variable element to switch between configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an evaporator is used as a breathing gas humidifier to achieve low flow resistance, then flow resistance is reduced, but humidification performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a position-variable element that can switch between at least two positions, enabling the humidifier to dynamically change its operating mode. In a first position, the system operates with high flow resistance and high humidification performance; in a second position, it operates with low flow resistance and lower humidification performance. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for either parameter depending on therapeutic requirements.
2Reliability
If different humidifiers are used for different therapy forms, then humidification properties are optimized for each therapy, but handling effort increases and device variety increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal humidifier that can perform multiple functions by incorporating a position-variable element with at least two positions. This single device can adapt to different therapy forms (invasive ventilation and high-flow therapy) by switching positions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized humidifiers and reducing handling effort while maintaining optimized humidification properties for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The position-variable element enables the single humidifier to dynamically adapt its characteristics to match different therapeutic requirements. The system transitions between configured states to provide appropriate humidification performance for invasive ventilation (high humidification) and high-flow therapy (low flow resistance), replacing the need for multiple static devices.
3Reliability
If multiple humidifiers are maintained for different applications, then appropriate humidification is ensured for each therapy form, but the number of devices required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple specialized humidifiers into a single multi-functional device. The position-variable element with at least two positions enables one humidifier to cover the application range of multiple devices, providing optimized humidification performance for both invasive ventilation and high-flow therapy through position switching.
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 humidifier provides improved humidification performance and expanded application range by allowing easy switching between configurations, optimizing humidification for high-flow therapy and invasive ventilation without increasing handling effort or device variety.
Implementation Method 1
In an evaporator, water (possibly at a predetermined temperature) delivers moisture to a stream of breathing gas to be humidified, in particular by surface evaporation.
Implementation Method 2
The water chamber (10) has a heating plate (60).
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing gas humidifier includes a water chamber, which has a first area for receiving water and a second area for receiving breathing gas. An inlet supplies breathing gas to the breathing gas humidifier, an outlet discharges conditioned breathing gas from the breathing gas humidifier, and a bubbler, including a bubbler element, has outlet ports. The breathing gas humidifier is configured to provide, in a first configuration, a fluidic connection between the inlet and the first area via the bubbler element to pass the breathing gas through the water to obtain the conditioned breathing gas. The breathing gas humidifier is further configured, in a second configuration, to provide a fluidic connection between the inlet and the second area to direct the breathing gas along a water surface to obtain the conditioned breathing gas. The breathing gas humidifier is selectively switchable between the first configuration and the second configuration.