Nasal Cannula Cover with UV Sterilization and Hinged Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nasal cannulas are prone to becoming soiled when not in use due to their natural coiling and uncoiling properties, which can cause them to fall and contact unclean surfaces, necessitating a protective solution to maintain hygiene.

Innovation Solution

A protective nasal cannula cover that encloses the prongs, featuring a hinged design with rib slots and optional UV light for cleaning, preventing contact with unclean surfaces and providing stability against rolling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the nasal cannula is hung on a bed post or hook to prevent soiling, then the nasal cannula is protected from contact with unclean surfaces, but the natural coiling and uncoiling properties of the plastic tube can still cause it to fall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact with unclean surfacesVSAvoidstability of nasal cannula

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is divided into multiple components: a cover portion that encloses the prongs, a tubing portion that surrounds the flexible tube, and a fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of the problem - the cover prevents prong contact with surfaces while the tubing constrains the flexible tube's movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs a nested structure where the tubing portion is positioned within the cover portion, and the flexible nasal cannula tube is positioned within the tubing portion. This nested arrangement provides multiple levels of protection and constraint, ensuring the nasal cannula remains stable and protected from falling while preventing contact with unclean surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the nasal cannula is left uncovered to maintain accessibility, then the nasal cannula can be easily accessed when needed, but the prongs become soiled from contact with surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of nasal cannulaVSAvoidsoiling of prongs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a hinged cover portion that can be opened and closed. This dynamic element allows the nasal cannula to be easily accessed when needed - the user can open the hinge to remove the nasal cannula and then close it for protection during storage. The hinge mechanism provides smooth, easy operation while maintaining the protective function when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device acts as an intermediary between the nasal cannula and the environment. When closed, it creates a protective barrier that prevents direct contact with unclean surfaces. When opened, it allows easy access to the nasal cannula. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing both protection and accessibility at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective cover is designed to fully enclose the nasal cannula, then complete protection from soiling is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from soilingVSAvoidcomplexity of protective cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes a flexible tubing portion that can be formed into a sleeve-like structure around the nasal cannula tube. This flexible shell approach provides effective protection and enclosure without requiring a complex rigid framework. The flexibility allows the tubing to conform to the nasal cannula's shape while maintaining a simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to accommodate different sizes and configurations of nasal cannulas through adjustable components. The tubing portion can be formed to fit various tube diameters, and the hinge mechanism works with different cover sizes. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized designs, simplifying the overall device while maintaining effective protection.

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 cover effectively keeps the nasal cannula prongs clean by preventing contact with unclean surfaces and maintaining stability, while the UV light option provides an additional hygiene feature for stored prongs.

Implementation Method 1

a bottom member hingedly connected to the top member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

An optional UV light may be present in the protective cover to provide UV cleaning of the nasal cannula prongs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV light: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11147937B2Nasal cannula cover

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 TURNER CHARLES ANDREW

AI summary

A protective cover for a nasal cannula completely encloses the two prongs of the nasal cannula when properly installed. This protective cover will keep the nasal cannula from contacting potentially unclean surfaces when the nasal cannula is not in use. An optional UV light may be present in the protective cover to provide UV cleaning of the nasal cannula prongs when the cover is closed.