Nasal Interface Balloon Valve for Low-Resistance Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nasal patient interfaces for non-invasive ventilation, such as nCPAP and HFNC, face challenges in design and performance, including complexity, high flow resistance, and difficulty in application, which can restrict patient movement and breathing efficiency, especially for premature or weak patients.
Innovation Solution
A nasal patient interface with a compact design featuring a bidirectional gas passage system, a tubular-shaped balloon valve for controlled gas flow, and a pressure measuring tube, allowing for direct and low-resistance breathing paths, and enabling effective mucus clearance, while maintaining a clear line of sight for communication and allowing breastfeeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex valve design is used to control gas passage, then gas flow control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve arrangement is divided into separate functional components: a balloon valve element for flow control, a valve housing for structural support, and integrated sealing elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon valve element is nested within the valve housing, with the balloon contained inside a cylindrical housing that provides structural support. This nested configuration reduces overall device complexity by integrating multiple functions into a compact arrangement.
2Ease of operation
If a cannula style interface is used for HFNC, then ease of application is improved, but ventilator performance deteriorates due to high flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The interface transitions from a static cannula design to a dynamic system with an inflatable balloon valve that can adjust the gas passage cross-section. This dynamic adjustment optimizes flow resistance characteristics while maintaining ease of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas passage parameters (cross-sectional area, flow resistance) are made variable through the inflatable balloon mechanism, allowing optimization of ventilator performance without sacrificing ease of application.
3Ease of operation
If a compact nasal patient interface is used, then patient comfort and mobility are improved, but gas passage flow capacity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The compact interface incorporates a dynamically adjustable balloon valve that can inflate to increase effective flow capacity when needed, maintaining both compactness and sufficient gas passage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon valve expands in the radial dimension within the compact housing, effectively increasing flow capacity without increasing the overall length or external dimensions of the device.
Data Source
AI summary
A nasal patient interface arrangement is for transporting breathing gas from a pressurized gas supply to a patient. The arrangement provides a first bidirectional gas passage in contact with ambient air and receives nasally expired air. The arrangement includes an inspiratory air conduit connecting to a pneumatic unit. The arrangement also includes a nose adapter for bidirectional gas transport. The nose adapter is connected to a nose of the patient. The arrangement further includes a valve arrangement controlling the passage of gas through the first bidirectional gas passage. The arrangement provides a second bidirectional gas passage which is connected to the inspiratory air conduct, the nose adapter, and the first gas passage. The valve arrangement is substantially enclosed in the first bidirectional gas passage.