Integrated Active Passive Humidifier for Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active and passive humidification devices for mechanically ventilated patients fail to consistently deliver optimal heat and moisture levels, leading to complications such as lung drying and respiratory issues, particularly in long-term sedation and pediatric patients, due to inefficiencies and bulkiness of equipment.
Innovation Solution
An integrated active and passive humidification device with a housing featuring a gas permeable filter, a heater, and a humidity generating device controlled by a sensor and controller to maintain air at desired temperature and humidity levels, operating in tandem with passive humidification to achieve optimal humidification conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If active humidification is used to deliver 44 mg H2O/L at 37°C, then moisture supply is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines active humidification components (heating element, water reservoir, humidity sensor) with passive humidification components (breathable membrane, heat exchange structure) into a single integrated device. This merging allows the system to achieve high moisture delivery (44 mg H2O/L at 37°C) while reducing overall device bulkiness by eliminating separate active and passive humidifiers and their associated tubing and equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it actively humidifies the breathing gas to target humidity levels, passively exchanges heat and moisture with the patient through the breathable membrane, monitors humidity levels via sensors, and regulates temperature. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing superior moisture delivery without requiring separate dedicated active humidification equipment.
2Device complexity
If passive humidification with HME is used, then device compactness is improved, but humidification efficiency decreases to 70-80%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges passive humidification (breathable membrane with heat exchange) and active humidification (heating element with humidity control) into a single integrated system. This combination allows the device to maintain compactness while achieving superior humidification efficiency by actively supplementing the passive exchange mechanism, thereby resolving the contradiction between compactness and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device incorporates humidity sensors that continuously monitor the humidity level of the breathing gas and provide feedback to a control system. This feedback mechanism allows the active humidification component to adjust its operation to maintain target humidity levels (44 mg H2O/L at 37°C), ensuring reliable and consistent humidification efficiency while maintaining device compactness.
3Quantity of substance
If active humidification equipment is mounted on ventilator with additional tubing, then moisture delivery is improved, but device complexity and setup complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the humidification device directly into the ventilator circuit housing, merging the humidification function with the existing ventilator structure. This eliminates the need for separate mounted equipment and additional external tubing, while maintaining effective moisture delivery (44 mg H2O/L at 37°C) through the integrated active and passive humidification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device serves as a multi-functional component that combines humidification, humidity monitoring, and temperature regulation within the existing ventilator housing. This universal design resolves the contradiction by providing superior moisture delivery without requiring separate mounted equipment or additional complex tubing arrangements.
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 device effectively maintains air at 37°C with 44 mg H2O/L absolute humidity, reducing respiratory complications and preventing moisture buildup, while being compact and efficient, suitable for various ventilation modes and patient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The passive heat and moisture exchanger (HME) is placed in the breathing circuit between the Y-piece and the endotracheal tube (ET-tube) where it captures the heat and moisture from the patients' exhaled breath and releases it to the patient on inspiration.
Implementation Method 2
a gas permeable filter mounted between the ventilator chamber and the patient chamber, said filter forming a passive humidifier which is operable to capture and reflect heat and moisture received from a patient back to said patient
Implementation Method 3
a heater mounted within the patient chamber, the humidity generating device, the heater and the temperature sensor being connected to an associated controller which is operable to regulate operation of the heater and the humidity generating device to maintain air at a desired temperature
Implementation Method 4
an humidity generating device mounted on the housing and being operable to discharge moisture into the patient chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An active and passive humidification device (1) for mounting in a patient ventilation circuit comprises a housing (2) having a ventilator chamber (3) and an associated patient chamber (4) communicating with the ventilator chamber (3) through a gas permeable filter (5) mounted between the ventilator chamber (3) and the patient chamber (4). This filter (5) forms a passive humidifier which is operable in use to capture and reflect heat and moisture received from a patient back to the patient. The ventilator chamber (3) has a ventilator connector port (9) for connection to a ventilator. The patient chamber (4) has a patient connector port (10) for connection to a patient breathing tube (13). A humidity generating device (15) is integrated in the housing (2) and is operable to control the humidity of air delivered from the patient chamber (4) through the patient connector port (10) to a patient and provides for active humidification of the breathing air. The humidity generating device (15), an air flow sensor (38), a temperature sensor (39) and a ceramic heater plate (40) of the device (1) are all connected to an associated controller which regulates operation of the humidity generating device (15) and heater plate (40) to maintain air at a desired temperature and humidity for delivery from the patient chamber (4) to a patient.