Multifunction Nasal Breathing Apparatus for High Flow Oxygen and ETCO2 Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal breathing devices are limited in their ability to provide multiple functions such as delivering high flow rates of oxygen, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and monitoring end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2, while being comfortable and versatile for various patient needs and settings.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional nasal breathing apparatus with two nasal inserts and a tubular chamber that forms an airtight barrier, allowing for high flow oxygen delivery, CPAP, and ETCO2 monitoring, featuring a flexible design to prevent occlusion and discomfort, and the ability to scavenger excess oxygen to reduce fire risk in surgical settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional nasal cannula is used, then the device is simple and well tolerated by patients, but it cannot deliver high flow of oxygen (limited to 6 lpm) and does not provide assisted ventilation
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal interface is designed to perform multiple functions: delivering high flow oxygen, providing CPAP, enabling ETCO2 monitoring, and facilitating aerosol medication delivery. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace multiple separate devices while maintaining patient comfort and tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The nasal interface is divided into separate nasal inserts that can be independently positioned in each nostril. This segmentation allows one nostril to be used for oxygen delivery while the other remains open for ETCO2 sampling, enabling high flow delivery without compromising monitoring capability.
2Productivity
If a face mask or nasal mask is used to deliver high flow of oxygen, then high FiO2 can be achieved, but the pressure on the nose and face causes considerable discomfort and is not well tolerated by patients
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies different functions to different locations: one nasal insert delivers oxygen locally to one nostril while the other nasal insert remains open for ETCO2 sampling. This localized functional distribution achieves high oxygen delivery without requiring a tight seal across the entire face or nose, thereby maintaining patient comfort.
3Measurement precision
If a nasal cannula with gas analyzer is used, then oxygen delivery is provided, but the suction force generated by the gas analyzer draws the mucosal tissues onto the tip of nasal prong, causing frequent occlusion, itching and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The ETCO2 sampling function is extracted from the oxygen delivery pathway. A separate nasal insert is dedicated solely to ETCO2 sampling, while the other nasal insert handles oxygen delivery. This separation eliminates the suction force issue in the oxygen delivery path while maintaining ETCO2 monitoring capability.
4Device complexity
If existing nasal cannulas are used, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but most of the delivered gases are wasted and only a small percentage actually reach the nasal airway of a patient
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines the oxygen delivery function and ETCO2 monitoring function into a single integrated nasal interface. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices and reduces overall gas waste by ensuring that delivered oxygen is efficiently directed to the patient's airway rather than being lost to ambient air.
Data Source
AI summary
A nasal breathing apparatus with multifunction has two nasal inserts and one tubular chamber. In one embodiment, the first nasal insert forms an airtight barrier inside one nostril for delivering gases. The second nasal insert does not block the other nostril and is for sampling gases. The tubular chamber is in fluid communication with the first nasal insert but not the second nasal insert and has an outlet for discharging and delivering gases and for providing continuous positive airway pressure and ventilation. In another embodiment, both nasal inserts form an airtight barrier in the corresponding nostrils. The first nasal insert is dedicated for delivering gases and the second nasal insert for sampling gases. The tubular chamber is in fluid communication with both nasal inserts and has an outlet for discharging and delivering gases and for providing continuous positive airway pressure and ventilation.