Modular Ventilator Elbow Assembly for Quiet, Adjustable Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elbow designs for CPAP machines are inflexible, generating noise due to turbulence and lack customization options, and face challenges with seal integrity and ease of disconnection, compromising patient comfort and therapy effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A modular elbow frame assembly with a quick-release device, customizable exhaust holes, and detachable connections for hoses and patient interface cushions, allowing for personalized airflow pressure adjustments and easy assembly/disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard elbow designs with predetermined exhaust holes are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different patient needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elbow is divided into multiple interchangeable components with different exhaust hole configurations. Instead of manufacturing one standard elbow, the patent creates segmented modules that can be assembled in different combinations to meet varying patient requirements for airflow and pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables adjustment of exhaust hole parameters (number, size, position, shape) to change airflow characteristics. By varying these parameters across different elbow components, the system adapts to different patient needs while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for each component type.
2Productivity
If exhaust holes are increased to improve gas circulation, then air circulation is enhanced, but wind noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the elbow are designed with different exhaust hole characteristics. Some areas have larger holes for efficient gas circulation while other areas have smaller holes or different geometries to reduce turbulence and minimize wind noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elbow incorporates noise-reducing materials or composite structures around the exhaust holes. These materials absorb or dampen the wind noise generated by high-velocity airflow while maintaining the functional exhaust openings for effective gas circulation.
3Ease of operation
If detachable elbow design is implemented for ease of connection, then ease of operation is improved, but seal integrity becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interfaces are pre-designed with alignment features, positioning elements, and pre-formed sealing surfaces. This preliminary configuration ensures that when components are assembled, the sealing surfaces automatically align correctly, maintaining seal integrity while allowing easy detachment and reattachment.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated sealing element or intermediary component is introduced at the detachable connection interface. This intermediary ensures reliable sealing between the elbow and connected components while being integrated into the easy-connect mechanism, allowing both ease of operation and seal integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular elbow frame assembly for a ventilator, which includes an elbow, a hose, a tubular connector, an external connecting component, a frame, a noise reduction element, a quick-release device. The modular elbow frame assembly for a ventilator can be used in conjunction with a patient interface cushion and a ventilator tube. In this system, the quick-release device is integrally formed with the elbow. The assembly involves a modular design that makes the elbow detachable, allowing the replacement of the elbow with exhaust holes of different numbers or diameters for patients to adjust airflow pressure into the airway. The quick-release device enables the rapid detachment between the elbow and the frame or patient interface cushions. Patients can choose whether to include the noise reduction element and whether to connect the ventilator tube via a hose or directly through a tubular connector.