Modular Breathing Apparatus with Interchangeable Sensor Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for diagnosing and rehabilitating oral and nasal breathing are inadequate in adapting to different examination types and patient morphologies, failing to effectively assess nasal breathing anomalies, velopharyngeal insufficiency, and orthopedic effects of maxillary expansion.
Innovation Solution
A modular apparatus with interchangeable removable heads of varying sizes, equipped with airflow sensors and a processing unit, allowing for simultaneous measurement of nasal and oral airflow, and capable of adapting to different patient morphologies through interchangeable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed design of breathing measurement device is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different patient morphologies and examination types
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a handle unit and interchangeable head units. Each head unit can be detached and replaced with another of different size or configuration, allowing adaptation to different patient morphologies (adults, children, infants) without redesigning the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle unit serves multiple functions: it houses the control unit, displays measurement results, provides power supply, and accommodates different head units. This universal design allows one handle to work with various head configurations for different examination types and patient groups.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized devices are used for different examination types, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal handle unit that can accommodate different head units designed for specific examination types (orthodontic diagnosis, speech therapy, sleep disorders). This allows one device to perform multiple specialized functions that would otherwise require separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system configuration is dynamically adaptable through interchangeable head units. The device can be reconfigured between examinations by simply swapping head units, allowing the system to optimize its structure for each specific examination type while maintaining a single core platform.
3Measurement precision
If conventional breathing sensors are used, then the device is simple, but it cannot provide accurate measurements of velopharyngeal insufficiency and nasal breathing anomalies
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor types are integrated within the head unit: thermal sensors for temperature-based airflow detection, acoustic sensors for sound-based breathing analysis, and pressure sensors. This combination of sensors working together enables accurate measurement of complex breathing patterns including velopharyngeal insufficiency and nasal anomalies.
Solution Approach 2:
The head unit acts as an intermediary between the patient's breathing and the measurement system. It contains the sensor array and preliminary processing electronics, converting complex breathing signals into measurable parameters before transmission to the handle unit for analysis and display.
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
Enables accurate and reproducible diagnosis and rehabilitation of breathing disorders, including velopharyngeal insufficiency, by providing detailed airflow measurements and adapting to diverse patient anatomies, facilitating comprehensive clinical assessments and treatment plans.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for measuring a respiratory flow signal
Implementation Method 2
measuring a respiratory flow signal of the person
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns an apparatus for measuring the oral and nasal breathing of a human being. The apparatus is characterised in that it comprises, in addition to a gripping handle, a removable head (200) having a first outer wall (201) provided with at least one top opening intended to be positioned under the nostrils of the human being, at least one rear opening intended to be positioned in front of the mouth of the human being, and at least one sensor for measuring the presence of air flow, capable of supplying at least one measurement signal concerning the presence of air flow, the removable head (200) having assembly means (210) capable, in a fixed position in which the removable head (200) is fixed to the gripping handle, of engaging with second assembly means provided on the gripping handle and capable of being released from the second assembly means in order to allow the removable head (200) to be removed from the handle, the removable head (200) comprising connection means (207) of the sensor, configured to be connected, in the fixed position, to connection means of the end part of the handle in order to transmit the signal thereto.