Multi-Compartment Filtration Module for Respiratory Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Respiratory therapy devices face challenges in reducing cross contamination risks during aerosol delivery, CHFO, and CPEP therapy due to potential contamination of gas streams and non-disposable components.

Innovation Solution

A respiratory therapy device with a pneumatic control unit connected to medical grade oxygen, featuring transfer conduits with integrated filters and a filtration module with multiple filter compartments to minimize contamination by filtering gas streams before they reach the patient or device components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filters are integrated into transfer conduits and multiple filter compartments are added to the filtration module, then cross contamination is reduced and gas purification is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross contamination reductionVSAvoidfiltration module structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration module is divided into multiple separate filter compartments (first filter compartment, second filter compartment, third filter compartment), each handling different gas streams independently. This segmentation allows targeted filtration of aerosol therapy gas, CHFO gas, and CPEP gas respectively, improving cross-contamination prevention while maintaining modular complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dedicated filtration module as an intermediary component between the pneumatic control unit and the patient interface. This intermediary contains integrated filters within the transfer conduits and separate filter compartments, acting as a barrier that prevents cross-contamination between different therapy modes and protects both the patient and device components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple filter compartments are implemented for different gas streams, then gas stream purification is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas stream filtrationVSAvoidfiltration module assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filtration module serves multiple functions simultaneously: it filters aerosol therapy gas through the first filter compartment, filters CHFO gas through the second filter compartment, filters CPEP gas through the third filter compartment, and provides structural support for the transfer conduits. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate filtration components for each therapy mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively reduces cross contamination by ensuring medical-grade oxygen is purified before delivery, protecting both the patient and device components from impurities, thereby enhancing safety and device reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a filter element residing in each of the compartments intermediate the gas inlet to the compartment and the gas outlet from the compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9675775B2Filtration unit useable in a respiratory therapy device

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 HILL ROM SERVICES PTE LTD(SG)

AI summary

A filtration module for comprises a filter housing defining two or more filter compartments. The housing has an input side with a gas inlet in fluid communication with each of the filter compartments and a gas outlet in fluid communication with each of the filter compartments. A filter element resides in each of the compartments intermediate the gas inlet to the compartment and the gas outlet from the compartment. One application for the filtration module is a respiratory therapy device.