Nasal Dam Ventilation Seal for Oral Access During Anesthesia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anesthesia methods using full-face masks and nasal cannulas lead to respiratory compromise during apenic periods and nasal pharynx blockage, while nasal ventilation masks lose seal easily and obstruct the eye region.
Innovation Solution
A nasal respiratory apparatus with a nasal dam and air chamber that seals via the nares, providing pressurized oxygenation, ventilation, and end-tidal CO2 sampling, maintaining a secure seal and allowing oral and eye access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full-face mask is used for anesthesia, then oxygenation and ventilation are supported, but the mask must be removed for oral access resulting in apenic period and respiratory compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the respiratory support function into nasal-specific components (nasal dam, nasal conduits, nasal vestibule interface) rather than requiring a full-face mask, enabling independent nasal ventilation while maintaining oral access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential ventilation function from the full-face mask by creating a nasal-specific respiratory support system that provides sufficient oxygenation and CO2 removal through nasal pathways alone, eliminating the need for full-face mask removal
2Ease of operation
If nasal cannula is used for oxygenation, then oral access is maintained, but pressurization is not provided resulting in respiratory compromise when nasal pharynx is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by establishing a seal at the nasal vestibule (anterior to the nasal pharynx) and providing pressurization before potential blockage occurs, ensuring positive pressure is already present to overcome any pharyngeal obstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies pneumatic principles by using a pressurized gas source connected through the air chamber and nasal conduits to deliver positive pressure ventilation through the nasal dam seal, ensuring adequate ventilation pressure even when nasal pharynx is blocked
3Reliability
If nasal ventilation mask is used to provide pressurization, then ventilation is supported, but the mask obstructs the eye region and loses seal easily
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential sealing function from the complex nasal mask by using a simple nasal dam that seals at the nasal vestibule, eliminating the need for complex mask structures that obstruct the eye region
Solution Approach 2:
The nasal dam is implemented as a flexible, thin-walled structure that conforms to the nasal vestibule anatomy, providing an effective seal through material compliance rather than complex rigid mask structures
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 apparatus ensures secure sealing, pressurized oxygenation, and effective ventilation with simultaneous CO2 sampling, reducing respiratory compromise and maintaining patient access.
Implementation Method 1
providing pressurized oxygenation
Implementation Method 2
the upper external surface of the nasal dam interfaces with soft tissue of a patient's nasal base to provide a substantial seal around the patient's nasal base
Implementation Method 3
the gas connection port is configured to receive an externally supplied gas via a gas supply tube
Implementation Method 4
at least one nasal conduit in fluid communication with the gas connection port
Implementation Method 5
a nasal end tidal sample port
Data Source
AI summary
A nasal respiratory apparatus comprising a compressible nasal dam is removably engaged with an air chamber to provide respiratory gas to a patient. The air chamber has a gas connection port, at least one nasal conduit, a nasal end tidal sample port, wherein the gas connection port is configured to receive an externally supplied gas via a gas supply tube and wherein the at least one nasal conduit in fluid communication with the gas connection port. The nasal dam has a least one nares port corresponding to the at least one nasal conduit of the air chamber, the nares port extending from an upper external surface of the nasal dam to a lower external surface of the nasal dam such that the upper external surface of the nasal dam interfaces with soft tissue of a patients nasal base to provide a substantial seal around the patients nasal base to facilitate respiratory gas supply to the patient.