Medical Device Moisture Trap With Automatic Drain and Evaporation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices with gas supply connections face challenges in managing moisture, which can lead to damage and pathogenic risks due to inadequate moisture removal and manual draining requirements.

Innovation Solution

A moisture management system that includes a water trap with an automatic drain and an evaporation chamber, where moisture is collected and evaporated, eliminating the need for manual draining and preventing moisture-related issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a water trap is used to collect moisture from the gas flow, then moisture removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for manual draining operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture removal effectivenessVSAvoidmanual draining requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs an automatic drain valve that opens when the first reservoir becomes full, allowing moisture to be automatically transferred to the second reservoir without manual intervention. The evaporator then automatically evaporates the moisture in the second reservoir, making the entire moisture management system self-service and eliminating the need for manual draining operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The evaporator uses heating elements to accelerate the evaporation process of collected moisture. By applying thermal energy, the system rapidly converts liquid moisture into vapor that can be vented through the exhaust, effectively and quickly removing moisture from the system without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

2Device complexity

If manual draining of the water trap is required, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to periodic manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedraining mechanismVSAvoidmanual intervention time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic drain valve and evaporator system performs moisture removal operations autonomously. When the first reservoir reaches capacity, the drain valve automatically opens to transfer moisture to the second reservoir, and the evaporator continuously evaporates moisture from the second reservoir, eliminating the need for periodic manual draining and associated time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The evaporator operates continuously or periodically to evaporate moisture from the second reservoir as it accumulates. This continuous action ensures that moisture is constantly being removed from the system rather than accumulating and requiring periodic manual intervention, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If a simple water trap without evaporation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but pathogenic risks increase due to moisture accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaporation chamberVSAvoidpathogenic growth risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of simply discarding collected moisture or allowing it to accumulate (which creates pathogenic risks), the system converts the harmful moisture into beneficial vapor through evaporation. The evaporator heats the moisture in the second reservoir, transforming it into vapor that is safely vented through the exhaust, thereby eliminating pathogenic growth risks while adding only moderate device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The evaporator induces a phase transition of moisture from liquid to vapor state by applying heat. This phase change effectively removes moisture from the system in a form that cannot support pathogenic growth, thereby eliminating health risks while maintaining acceptable device complexity through the addition of an evaporation chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

4Ease of manufacture

If manual draining is required, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but ease of operation worsens due to user burden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual drain systemVSAvoiduser burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic drain valve and evaporator system eliminates the need for users to manually drain the water trap. The system autonomously monitors moisture levels in the first reservoir, automatically transfers moisture to the second reservoir when full, and continuously evaporates moisture from the second reservoir, thereby significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining reasonable manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical draining operations with an automated control system that includes level sensors, an automatic drain valve, and an evaporator. This substitution eliminates user burden by automating the moisture removal process, improving ease of operation while the modular design keeps manufacturing costs manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively removes moisture from medical devices, preventing damage and pathogenic growth, while automating the process to reduce manual intervention and associated risks.

Implementation Method 1

the water trap is configured to remove moisture from the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

the evaporation chamber is configured such that the moisture evaporates from the second reservoir and exits as vapor via the exhaust

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

the heater is positioned in the second reservoir such that the heater warms the moisture therein to increase the rate of evaporation from the evaporation chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

the evaporator is a fan that blows air across the moisture in the second reservoir to increase the rate of evaporation from the evaporation chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4056219B1Systems and methods for managing moisture for medical devices

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

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Figure 4A

AI summary

A moisture management system for a medical device. A water trap has an inlet, outlet, first reservoir, and drain, the inlet receiving gas from a supply connection and the outlet returning the gas to a patient connection. The water trap removes moisture from the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet, where the moisture removed is held in the first reservoir. The system further includes an evaporation chamber having an inlet, an exhaust, and a second reservoir. The inlet is fluidly coupled to the drain of the water trap to receive the moisture from the first reservoir. The moisture is subsequently held in the second reservoir. The evaporation chamber is configured such that the moisture evaporates from the second reservoir and exits as vapor via the exhaust. An evaporator increases a rate at which the moisture in the second reservoir evaporates via the exhaust.