Humidifier Water Spike Kit for Sterile Liquid Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidifiers for breathing gases often rely on tap water, which may not be sterile and can lead to contamination risks, and lack efficient systems for coupling a sterile liquid supply directly to the humidification path.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising a spike for piercing a liquid container, a tube for passing the liquid, and a vent system that allows gas venting while retaining the liquid, enabling the direct coupling of a sterile liquid supply to a humidifier's fluid path, ensuring sterile conditions and preventing liquid escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tap water is used for humidification in a closed circulation path, then the humidifier can maintain a simple and closed water circulation system, but the water may not be sterile and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupler assembly as an intermediary device between the sterile liquid supply and the humidifier. This coupler includes a spike for piercing the liquid container, a tube for fluid transport, and a vent body with filter, serving as a mediator that enables sterile liquid delivery without requiring changes to the humidifier's closed circulation path design
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is divided into separate functional components: a spike for container piercing, a tube for liquid transport, and a vent body with filter for gas venting and liquid retention. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity and sterility
2Reliability
If a sterile liquid supply is directly coupled to the humidifier, then sterility is maintained, but gas venting becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The vent body is designed with a filter that has different permeability characteristics for gas and liquid. The filter allows gas to pass through while blocking liquid, creating a local quality differentiation within the vent body that simultaneously achieves gas venting and liquid retention without compromising sterility
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary element within the vent body, mediating between the liquid flowing through the tube and the gas that needs to be vented. It selectively permits gas passage while preventing liquid escape, solving the gas venting problem while maintaining sterility
3Ease of operation
If a vent is added to allow gas escape, then gas venting is enabled, but liquid may escape through the same opening
Solution Approach 1:
The filter positioned at the vent opening creates a local quality differentiation that selectively allows gas molecules to pass through while blocking liquid molecules. This local quality change in the filter medium enables simultaneous gas venting and liquid retention at the same opening
Solution Approach 2:
The vent body incorporates a filter with porous structure that exploits the different sizes and properties of gas and liquid molecules. The porous material allows gas to pass through its pores while the surface tension and viscosity of liquid prevent it from escaping, solving the contradiction between gas venting and liquid retention
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 solution provides a sterile and efficient method for delivering liquid to humidifiers, maintaining sterility and preventing contamination, while allowing gas venting to ensure proper operation and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
A filter is positioned over the cap opening to prevent the escape of the liquid through the cap opening
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for coupling a container holding a liquid to a fluid path of a humidifier is disclosed. The kit includes a spike configured to pierce the container and to pass the liquid from the container to a vent through a tube. The vent is configured to vent gas from the liquid while retaining the liquid. The vent has a vent body including an inlet configured for coupling to the tube to receive the liquid from the tube and an outlet configured to pass the liquid to the humidifier. A cap opening is positioned to vent the gas. A filter is positioned over the cap opening to prevent the escape of the liquid therethrough. A cap is coupled to the vent body over the cap opening and has at least one opening therein to allow passage of gas from the opening to atmosphere.