Mechanical Pressure Indicator for Hyperbaric Dressing Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical pressure indicators for hyperbaric oxygen therapy systems are cumbersome due to the need for electronic monitoring and safety features, which compromise patient comfort and efficacy by adding size, weight, and rigidity, while also risking unawareness of excess positive-pressure that can restrict blood flow and prolong healing times.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical pressure indicator system featuring a deformable member within a connector that provides visual pressure indications through a viewing member, allowing for mechanical pressure regulation and relief to prevent overpressure, thus ensuring safe and effective positive-pressure therapy without electronic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic monitoring and safety features are added to regulate pressure, then pressure monitoring and regulation capability is improved, but device size, weight, and rigidity increase, decreasing patient comfort and efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure monitoring and regulation capabilityVSAvoiddevice size, weight, and rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic monitoring systems with a purely mechanical pressure indicator system. A deformable member (such as a membrane or diaphragm) is positioned within the connector housing and responds mechanically to pressure changes by deforming or moving, which actuates visual indicators (such as colored zones or flags) that become visible through a viewing window. This mechanical substitution eliminates electronic components, reducing device size, weight, and complexity while maintaining pressure monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual indicators that replicate pressure information in a visible format. The deformable member's position or deformation state is copied into visual signals (such as the appearance or disappearance of colored zones through a viewing window), allowing users to perceive pressure levels without electronic displays or sensors. This copying mechanism provides reliable pressure information while avoiding the complexity of electronic monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If excess positive-pressure is applied to augment tissue growth, then therapeutic benefit is improved, but capillary restriction and blood flow reduction occur, increasing healing times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic benefit for tissue growthVSAvoidcapillary restriction and blood flow reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements immediate visual feedback through the pressure indicator system that allows users to monitor pressure levels in real-time. When pressure exceeds safe thresholds, the deformable member deforms to reveal visual indicators, providing immediate feedback that alerts users to reduce pressure. This feedback mechanism prevents excessive pressure application that would restrict capillaries and reduce blood flow, thereby avoiding harmful effects while maintaining therapeutic benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If a mechanical pressure indicator is implemented without electronic components, then device simplicity and patient comfort are improved, but pressure monitoring capability may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidpressure monitoring capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs color changes as visual indicators of pressure levels. The connector housing includes visible zones with different colors (such as green, yellow, and red) that become visible or invisible based on the deformation of the membrane. As pressure increases, the membrane deforms to reveal different colored zones, providing precise pressure level indication through color transitions. This color-change mechanism delivers accurate pressure monitoring information while maintaining device simplicity and avoiding electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 system enables safe and efficient hyperbaric oxygen therapy by providing visual pressure feedback, preventing overpressure and maintaining capillary openness, thereby enhancing patient comfort and treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable member positioned within the first channel and configured to deform based on a pressure of a cavity partially defined by the deformable member and to provide a visual indication, via the viewing member, of the pressure of the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS11452810B2Apparatus, system, and method for mechanical indication of pressure

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

This disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods related to a connector for a dressing, such as a dressing of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy system. An example of a connector includes a connector body configured to define at least a portion of a first channel. The connector also includes a viewing member coupled to the connector body. The connector further includes a deformable member positioned within the first channel. The deformable member is configured to deform based on a pressure associated with the deformable member and to provide a visual indication, via the viewing member, of the pressure.