Induction Steam Injection for Compact Respiratory Humidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humidification devices for respiratory breathing circuits are cumbersome due to bulky heating elements and can lead to condensation issues, necessitating an improved on-demand humidification solution.
Innovation Solution
A humidification device featuring an induction heater assembly with a housing and induction element that generates an oscillating magnetic field to heat a heating element, vaporizing water into steam for direct injection into the breathing circuit, utilizing Mu-metal or high magnetic permeability materials and a disposable assembly with a cannula and thermocouple conductors for efficient steam delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heating elements are used in water chambers, then humidification function is provided, but the device becomes bulky and causes condensation in breathing circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional resistive heating elements with an induction heating system. The induction element generates an oscillating magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the heating element, providing efficient heating without the bulk of traditional heating elements. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable humidification while significantly reducing device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from resistive heating to induction heating, fundamentally altering the physical parameter of heat generation. This parameter change enables more efficient energy transfer and reduces the size of heating components, thereby reducing overall device volume while maintaining effective humidification.
2Temperature
If conventional heating elements are used, then water heating is achieved, but condensation forms in breathing circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The induction heating system provides more precise and efficient temperature control compared to conventional heating elements. The oscillating magnetic field heats the water directly through eddy currents, enabling better thermal management and reducing excessive heating that causes condensation in the breathing circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction heating system inherently provides better thermal efficiency and control, reducing the generation of harmful condensation as a byproduct of the heating process itself.
3Reliability
If heating elements are located away from patient, then safety is improved, but device becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The induction heating element can be made compact and integrated close to the patient interface without the same safety concerns as conventional heating elements. The electromagnetic field is contained and controllable, allowing the device to be positioned conveniently near the patient while maintaining safety through controlled energy delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is integrated within the compact induction heater assembly that can be positioned within or near the breathing circuit without requiring separate bulky components located away from the patient.
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 efficient, on-demand heated humidification directly within the respiratory breathing circuit, reducing bulkiness and condensation issues, while ensuring effective moisture and temperature maintenance for patient comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The induction element is configured to be excited by electrical current supplied from the power assembly, to generate an oscillating magnetic field to create eddy currents in the heating element to heat the heating element
Implementation Method 2
generate an oscillating magnetic field to create eddy currents in the heating element to heat the heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A humidification device for a respiratory breathing circuit comprises an induction heater assembly to inject steam into a breathing circuit gas line. The assembly comprises a housing defining a housing lumen. An induction element is located around the housing lumen. A cannula is disposed within the housing lumen and surrounded by the induction element, the cannula being configured to receive a flow of water. A heating element is located inside the cannula, the heating element being at least partially surrounded by the induction element. The induction element is excited by electrical current to generate an oscillating magnetic field to create eddy currents in the heating element to heat the heating element, and thereby heat the flow of water in the cannula flowing past the heating element, to thereby vaporize the water into steam which exits the induction heater assembly and housing to be injected into the breathing circuit gas line.