Humidifier Tub Segmentation and Tilt Control for Respiratory Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current humidifiers for respiratory apparatuses face challenges in maintaining efficient humidity control, particularly in reducing thermal inertia and minimizing water leakage when tilted, which can lead to discomfort and complications for patients with sleep disordered breathing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a reduced heated water volume for faster warm-up times and improved controllability, a tilt-control system to prevent water from entering the flow generator, and features like air locks and floating tubes to maintain humidity levels and prevent spillage, along with adjustable tub sizes and mechanical humidity control mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a conventional humidifier with larger water volume is used, then the humidifier can maintain humidity for longer periods, but the thermal inertia increases leading to slower warm-up times and reduced controllability
Solution Approach 1:
The water reservoir is divided into two separate chambers: a larger storage reservoir for maintaining humidity over extended periods, and a smaller heated chamber for rapid heating and precise temperature control. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both long-duration humidity maintenance and fast warm-up times by isolating the heating function to a smaller volume while maintaining a larger water supply.
2Reliability
If the humidifier is designed with sufficient dead space to prevent water leakage when tilted, then water safety is improved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
A tilt-control valve mechanism is implemented that dynamically responds to the humidifier's orientation. When the device is tilted beyond a predetermined angle, the valve automatically closes to prevent water from flowing into the air pathway. This dynamic control system eliminates the need for excessive dead space volume, allowing compact design while maintaining reliable water leakage prevention through active tilt monitoring and valve control.
3Ease of operation
If a heated humidifier is used to provide sufficient humidity and temperature, then patient comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases compared to passive humidifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the base of the heated chamber, merging the thermal processing function with the water containment structure. The lid incorporates seals and tilt-control mechanisms that combine multiple functions (closure, sealing, and tilt-responsive water flow control) into a single component. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the heated humidification capability for patient comfort.
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
This solution enables more accurate and rapid humidity control, reduces thermal overshoots, and prevents water from entering the flow generator when the humidifier is tilted, enhancing patient comfort and reducing complications.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for heating the water in the tub
Implementation Method 2
An air lock is formed between the supply of water and the lid when the lid is in the closed position
Implementation Method 3
a valve configured to control a flow of the supply of water from the inner tub to the cavity
Implementation Method 4
the inlet tube and the outlet tube are configured to float on a surface of the supply of water contained in the tub and prevent a flow of water out of the inlet and/or the outlet if the tub is tilted and/or rotated
Data Source
AI summary
A positive airway device is configured to deliver a pressurized flow of humidified respiratory gas to a patient's airways and includes a flow generator with a blower portion and a docking portion laterally adjacent to the blower portion. The docking portion is separated from the blower portion by a divider and comprises a cavity configured to laterally receive a humidifier tub. The humidifier tub comprises a first tub subsection with an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening and a second tub subsection. A flange extending outwardly from an outer surface of the humidifier tub forms a transition between the first and second tub subsections. The humidifier tub is configured so that when the humidifier tub is fully received by the docking portion, the first tub subsection is enclosed within the cavity and the second tub subsection remains outside the cavity.