Nitrous Oxide Oxygen Gas Mixture Dilution System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing gas mixtures with nitrous oxide (N2O) and oxygen, particularly those with less than 50% N2O, face challenges in safety, high oxygen content, and practicality for use in home or community settings due to the complexity and size of conventional mixers, which can lead to overdose risks and logistical issues.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a premix of N2O and O2 with an initial content of 40-60 mol% diluted with air using a micro-blower to achieve a final N2O content between 15-50 mol%, along with a gas supply system that includes a mixing chamber, flow control devices, and a human-machine interface to adjust parameters and ensure safe and precise gas delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional gas mixer is used to produce N2O/O2 mixtures with less than 50% N2O, then the N2O content is reduced, but the oxygen content increases above 50% which may cause oxygen toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance to dilute the N2O/O2 premix. Instead of directly mixing N2O and O2 in the desired final proportions, the system uses air (which is approximately 21% O2 and 79% N2) as a mediator to achieve the target gas composition. This intermediary approach allows reduction of N2O content while maintaining O2 content within safe limits by controlling the amount of air added.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the composition parameters by introducing a third component (air) with known composition. By controlling the flow rates and mixing ratios, the system transforms the premix parameters (initial N2O and O2 concentrations) into final parameters (reduced N2O, controlled O2) through parameter adjustment during the mixing process.
2Quantity of substance
If a conventional gas mixer is used to produce customized N2O/O2 mixtures, then the desired N2O content can be achieved, but the device complexity and size increase making it unsuitable for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mixing of N2O and O2 to create a standardized premix with known composition (typically 50% N2O, 50% O2) stored in a gas cylinder. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time mixing of multiple gases during operation. During actual use, only simple dilution with air is required, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to produce customized N2O concentrations.
3Quantity of substance
If a conventional gas mixer is used to produce N2O/O2 mixtures, then the desired gas composition can be obtained, but the system requires multiple gas bottles increasing logistical challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges N2O and O2 into a single premix cylinder containing a predetermined composition (e.g., 50% N2O, 50% O2). This consolidation reduces the number of separate gas cylinders from two (one for N2O, one for O2) to one (the premix cylinder), significantly simplifying logistics, handling, storage, and supply chain management while maintaining the ability to produce the required gas compositions.
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
This approach allows for the easy and safe production of customized N2O/O2 gas mixtures with reduced N2O content, maintaining non-hypoxic oxygen levels and improving practicality for use outside hospital settings, enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy while minimizing logistical challenges.
Implementation Method 1
a process for supplying a gas mixture containing nitrous oxide (N2O) and oxygen (O2) comprising the steps of: a) providing a premix of N2O and O2 containing an initial N2O content of between 40% and 60 mol%, the remainder being oxygen, said premix of N2O and O2 coming from a gas container, b) dilute the premix of N2O and O2 with air delivered by a micro-blower
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for supplying a gaseous mixture containing nitrous oxide (N₂O) and oxygen (O₂), comprising the steps of (a) supplying a premix of N₂O and O₂ containing an initial N₂O content of between 40% and 60% molar, the remainder being oxygen, (b) diluting the N₂O and O₂ premix with air, and (c) recovering a final mixture containing a final N₂O content lower than the initial N₂O content in the N₂O and O₂ premix. Associated gas supply system. The premix source is a gas container, while the air source is a micro-blower.