Respiratory Vent Adaptor With Membrane Orifices for Quiet Gas Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapies and devices for treating disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cheyne-Stokes Respiration, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease face challenges related to comfort, compliance, efficacy, ease of use, manufacturability, and noise, particularly due to poorly fitting masks and inadequate vent systems, leading to reduced patient adherence.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface with a complementary perimeter shape, a stabilizing structure, and a novel vent system that includes a membrane-adjacent base with multiple orifices, allowing continuous gas exchange while maintaining therapeutic pressure, reducing noise and improving comfort and efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional vent system with single orifice is used, then the structure is simple, but the noise level is high and gas exchange is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system is divided into multiple orifices (first orifice and second orifice) instead of using a single orifice. This segmentation allows the vent to distribute gas flow across multiple pathways, reducing turbulence and noise while maintaining effective gas exchange. The membrane is also segmented to selectively cover different orifices based on pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent system incorporates a dynamic membrane that can move between orifices based on pressure conditions. The membrane transitions from covering the first orifice during high pressure to covering the second orifice during low pressure, creating an adaptive noise reduction mechanism that responds to real-time breathing patterns.
2Reliability
If therapeutic pressure is maintained continuously, then treatment efficacy is improved, but patient comfort is reduced due to inadequate gas exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system provides continuous gas exchange capability by having multiple orifices available at different pressure levels. The membrane ensures that at least one orifice remains open for gas exchange regardless of pressure conditions, maintaining continuous ventilation while preserving therapeutic pressure during inspiration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the vent by switching between different orifices based on pressure conditions. During high pressure, the first orifice is closed and gas exchanges through the second orifice; during low pressure, the membrane position changes to allow optimal gas exchange, thus adapting the venting parameters to maintain both efficacy and comfort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex vent system with multiple orifices and membrane is used, then noise is reduced and gas exchange is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system uses a thin, flexible membrane instead of complex mechanical components. This membrane can be manufactured using standard molding techniques and integrated into the vent housing as a single piece, reducing assembly complexity despite the multi-orifice design. The membrane's simplicity compensates for the increased number of orifices.
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
Enhances patient compliance by providing a comfortable, easy-to-use, and effective respiratory therapy solution with reduced noise and improved manufacturability, addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane is elastically deformed by pressure within the pressurized volume to apportion the vent flow between the orifices
Data Source
AI summary
A vent system for use during respiratory therapy with a flow of pressurized gas may provide a continuous vent flow of gas. The vent system may include a vent housing having an outer wall; an inner wall, the inner wall defining an inlet for the flow of gas; and a base positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall, the base having at least one first orifice and at least one second orifice. The vent system may include a membrane, the membrane being shaped and dimensioned such that the membrane does not cover the at least one first orifice to allow the vent flow through the at least one first orifice, and the membrane being shaped and dimensioned such that in a first position the membrane is positioned over the at least one second orifice to allow the vent flow through the at least one second orifice.