Inline PEEP Valve Housing for Extendable Multi-Patient Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing differential multi-ventilation systems face challenges such as patient triggering, overventilation, and complex patient-patient-ventilator interactions, necessitating sedation and paralytics, and lack of individualized ventilation settings, which are not adequately addressed by current flow restrictors and sensors.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for converting positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) valves into inline valves for use in differential multi-ventilation systems, allowing for individualized pressure regulation and unidirectional gas flow, with a housing that includes a ventilator-side, pass-through, and patient-side arms, and a cap for pressure adjustment, enabling easy extension of the system with additional patient circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a ventilator circuit is extended by disconnecting and reconnecting parts, then the circuit can be adjusted to different bed positions, but the connection reliability deteriorates due to multiple disconnections and reconnections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to different bed positionsVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The extending section is divided into two separate connection parts (first connection part and second connection part) that can be independently connected to different ports on the patient connector. This segmentation allows the circuit to be reconfigured for different bed positions while maintaining secure connections through dedicated port assignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patient connector acts as an intermediary component that receives both the first and second connection parts from the extending section. This intermediary structure enables the extending section to connect to the patient interface without requiring disconnection of the patient connector itself, thus maintaining connection reliability while providing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the extending section uses separate connection parts for different gases, then gas delivery reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas delivery reliabilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patient connector is designed with multiple ports that serve different functions (oxygen port, air port, suction port, etc.), allowing a single connector component to handle multiple gas delivery functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated connectors for each gas type, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable gas delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different ports on the patient connector are assigned specific functions based on local requirements (e.g., oxygen port for oxygen delivery, air port for air mixing). This local specialization ensures that each connection point is optimized for its specific gas type, improving gas delivery reliability without requiring a completely separate connector for each gas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the extending section is made flexible, then ease of operation improves for positioning, but the structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of positioningVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The extending section incorporates a flexible circuit body that can be bent and positioned as needed. This flexibility allows the extending section to be easily routed and positioned to accommodate different bed configurations and patient positions, significantly improving ease of operation for positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The extending section is segmented into modular components (first connection part, second connection part, and flexible circuit body) that can be independently assembled and positioned. This segmentation allows the rigid connection parts to maintain structural strength while the flexible circuit body provides the necessary flexibility for positioning, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4237056B1Device and process for extending a ventilator circuit
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 CONVERGENCE MEDICAL SCI LTD
  • EP4237056B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4237056B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3B
  • EP4237056B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A device for enclosing a positive end valve (PEEP valve) and converting the PEEP valve to an inline valve for use in a differential multi-ventilation system is described. The device includes a housing configured to enclose the PEEP valve. The housing also includes a ventilator-side arm, a pass-through arm and a patient-side arm. The pass-through arm permits extension of the multi-ventilation system to add one or more patients to the system.