Nasal Cannula Interface Aerosol Control via Segmented Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory support apparatuses, such as CPAP/Bilevel and High Flow systems, face challenges in preventing the dispersion of aerosols carrying pathogens and contaminants, which poses a risk of infectious disease transmission due to the lack of effective control over expiratory gases in non-invasive ventilation therapies.
Innovation Solution
The nasal cannula interface is designed with structural features to manage and reduce aerosol generation by altering the inspiratory and expiratory flow paths, including prong geometry, material composition, and flow path configurations, such as porous materials and diffusers, to minimize aerosolization of exhaled gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-sealing nasal cannula is used to deliver high flow gases, then patient comfort and ease of operation are improved, but aerosol dispersion and infection transmission risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal cannula is divided into separate inspiratory and expiratory flow paths within the prong structure. The expiratory path is segmented to direct exhaled gases away from the patient's face through lateral openings, preventing aerosol accumulation while maintaining the non-sealing comfort of the cannula.
Solution Approach 2:
The prong structure acts as an intermediary device that intercepts expiratory gases before they can disperse as aerosols. By providing a dedicated expiratory path through the prong with lateral openings, the harmful expiratory flow is redirected away from the patient's face, mediating between the need for non-sealing comfort and aerosol prevention.
2Reliability
If high flow gases are delivered through the nasal cannula, then respiratory support effectiveness is improved, but aerosolization of exhaled gases increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into inspiratory and expiratory channels within the prong. The expiratory channel includes lateral openings that direct exhaled gases laterally away from the patient's face, reducing aerosol generation while maintaining high flow delivery effectiveness for respiratory support.
Solution Approach 2:
The expiratory flow is redirected from a vertical path (upward toward the patient's face) to a lateral path through side openings in the prong. This dimensional change in flow direction effectively removes expiratory gases from the aerosol-prone zone near the patient's face while preserving the high flow respiratory support function.
3Productivity
If the nasal cannula prong is designed to extend beyond the nasal valve, then gas delivery effectiveness is improved, but aerosol transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prong is designed with segmented flow paths where the expiratory channel includes lateral openings positioned to direct exhaled gases away from the patient's face. This segmentation allows the prong to extend beyond the nasal valve for effective gas delivery while simultaneously preventing aerosol transmission through lateral expiratory discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral openings in the expiratory path serve as intermediary discharge points that intercept expiratory gases before they can travel upward toward the patient's face. This intermediary mechanism allows deep prong placement for effective gas delivery while mediating aerosol transmission risk by redirecting expiratory flow laterally.
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 the transmission risk of infectious diseases by minimizing the dispersion of aerosols smaller than 120 microns, enhancing safety for both patients and caregivers by controlling the flow and direction of exhaled gases.
Implementation Method 1
The nasal prong defines a plurality of gas flow paths extending through the prong
Implementation Method 2
prong geometry, material composition, and flow path configurations, such as porous materials and diffusers, to minimize aerosolization
Data Source
AI summary
A nasal cannula interface is provided for a respiratory support system configured to receive a breathable gases flow, the nasal cannula interface comprising: a. an inlet to receive the gases flow; b. at least one nasal prong configured to receive the gases flow from the inlet, and to be received in, and to deliver the gases flow to, a nare of the patient. The nasal cannula interface may comprise one or more structural features that are configured to help manage, avoid and/or reduce generation of aerosols by the patient during breathing and/or whilst breathing gases from a respiratory support apparatus.