Anesthesia Mask Gas Sequestration Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anesthesia delivery methods, particularly during the induction phase, result in the release of potent inhaled anesthetics (PIAs) as waste anesthetic gases due to poor mask seals, posing health risks to both patients and medical personnel, especially in occupational settings.
Innovation Solution
A gas sequestration device comprising a toroidal inner frame, a flexible outer skirt, and evacuation ports connected to a vacuum source, which is attached to an anesthesia mask to create circumferential suction and capture escaping anesthetic gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an anesthesia mask is used to deliver anesthetic gas to the patient, then the patient receives effective anesthesia delivery, but waste anesthetic gases escape into the room air due to poor mask seal
Solution Approach 1:
A suction catheter is introduced as an intermediary device between the anesthesia mask and the waste gas in the environment. The catheter creates a dedicated pathway that intercepts waste anesthetic gases before they escape into the room air, guiding them toward collection or removal systems without interfering with the primary anesthesia delivery function of the mask
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful waste anesthetic gases are extracted from the vicinity of the anesthesia mask using the suction catheter. By positioning the catheter to contact or near-contact the mask surface, the system actively removes waste gases at their source, separating the harmful byproduct from the beneficial anesthesia delivery process
2Ease of operation
If the anesthesia mask is removed from the patient's face prior to intubation, then the patient can be intubated, but PIA gas flow is not turned off resulting in PIA leaks into the room air
Solution Approach 1:
The suction catheter is positioned and activated before the anesthesia mask is removed from the patient's face. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the mask is removed and PIA gas flow continues, the suction system is already in place to capture any escaping gases, preventing leaks into the room air while maintaining ease of intubation
3Adaptability or versatility
If patients with beards or atypical face shapes receive anesthesia mask treatment, then they can receive anesthesia, but mask seal is poor increasing PIA escape
Solution Approach 1:
The suction catheter serves as a mediator that compensates for poor mask seal in patients with beards or atypical face shapes. By providing an alternative pathway for waste gas removal that does not rely on mask-to-face sealing, the system enables anesthesia delivery to diverse patients while preventing PIA escape into the environment
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 minimizes the escape of waste anesthetic gases by creating a seal around the anesthesia mask, reducing occupational exposure and environmental contamination.
Implementation Method 1
connecting each of the evacuation ports to a vacuum source; and applying a vacuum to each of the evacuation ports
Implementation Method 2
creating circumferential suction around the mask; the at least one gap is depressurized to create circumferential suction around the mask
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides plastic and rubber devices molded to fit on existing anesthesia masks. The devices capture and sequester waste anesthetic gases that escape out of the perimeter of an anesthesia mask that has been fitted onto a patient.