Modular Med-Gas Panel Connectors for Reconfigurable Hospital Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical-gas panel connectors and systems in hospitals lack design flexibility, requiring extensive reconfiguration and reinstallation, which is time-consuming, expensive, and complicated, and do not comply with industry regulations for gas delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular medical-gas panel connector system with a frame assembly, removable manifold, and flexible gas lines that integrate with the ceiling, allowing for easy reconfiguration and compliance with NFPA 99 standards, featuring DISS adapters and non-interchangeable screw thread connections for secure and safe gas delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional copper pipes with brazing or welding are used to connect medical gas outlets, then the gas delivery system is reliable and secure, but the system becomes difficult to reconfigure and requires extensive deconstruction and reinstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the medical gas delivery into separate modular components: a permanent ceiling integration assembly with manifold and removable panel assemblies with outlets. This segmentation allows the permanent infrastructure to remain while panel configurations can be easily changed by removing and repositioning panel assemblies, resolving the contradiction between reliable permanent connections and flexible reconfigurability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static welded connections to dynamic removable connections using threaded interfaces and locking mechanisms. The panel assemblies can be dynamically repositioned along the ceiling integration assembly, allowing the system to adapt to changing medical needs while maintaining secure gas delivery through threaded connections that ensure reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If pre-testing and certification are required for traditional medical gas systems, then the system complies with safety standards, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling integration assembly with manifold is pre-installed and certified in the ceiling plenum during initial construction, establishing the permanent, tested infrastructure. Later, panel assemblies can be added or reconfigured without requiring re-certification of the entire system, as the critical safety components (manifold, ceiling integration) are already in place and certified, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining compliance.
3Strength
If rigid copper piping is used for medical gas delivery, then the system is durable and leak-proof, but the system lacks flexibility for reconfiguration and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the rigid, durable ceiling integration assembly (manifold in ceiling plenum) from the flexible panel assemblies. The rigid ceiling portion provides structural strength and leak-proof connections to the central gas supply, while the removable panel assemblies provide flexibility for reconfiguration, allowing both durability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses flexible gas lines (such as corrugated stainless steel tubing or flexible hoses) to connect the manifold in the ceiling integration assembly to the outlets in the panel assemblies. These flexible connections maintain gas-tight sealing while allowing easy repositioning and reconfiguration of the panel assemblies without requiring rigid piping modifications.
4Reliability
If extensive plumbing work is required for traditional headwall systems, then the gas delivery network is comprehensive, but the installation becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple gas outlets and connections into integrated panel assemblies that can be installed as complete units. The ceiling integration assembly consolidates the manifold and main connections in the ceiling plenum, while panel assemblies bundle multiple outlets and their associated piping into pre-assembled modules, reducing on-site plumbing complexity while maintaining comprehensive gas delivery coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical-gas panel connector system includes a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a horizontal frame member, a vertical frame member connected to the horizontal frame member, and a ceiling integration assembly. The medical-gas panel connector system also includes a medical-gas outlet removably secured to at least one of the horizontal frame member and the vertical frame member via a bracket. In addition, a manifold is removably secured to the ceiling integration assembly, the manifold being at least partially disposed inside the medical-gas panel connector system, and a flexible gas line connects the manifold to the medical-gas outlet. The medical-gas panel connector can be reconfigured and rearranged within a modular wall system.