Nasal Gas Delivery Device with Exhalation Scrubber
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Solution Overview
Problem
The delivery of therapeutic gases to the nasal airway is problematic due to inhalation risks and inability to control gas concentrations, leading to inefficient treatment of conditions such as headaches and allergies.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a nosepiece, mouthpiece, and scrubber that reduces exhaled gas concentrations of nitrogen and oxygen to increase therapeutic gas concentrations, such as carbon dioxide, for targeted delivery to the nasal airway, preventing inhalation and enhancing uptake of active substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If therapeutic gases are delivered to the nasal airway using conventional methods, then the gases can reach the nasal mucosa, but the subject inhales the gases which reduces treatment effectiveness and creates safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the subject's natural breathing cycle by delivering therapeutic gas during exhalation phases. The one-way valve system allows gas delivery only during exhalation, preventing inhalation of therapeutic gas while ensuring delivery to nasal mucosa during the exhalation phase of the breathing cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
A one-way valve system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the gas source and the subject's airway. This valve selectively permits gas flow in the exhalation direction while blocking inhalation, thereby mediating the delivery process to prevent harmful inhalation while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional gas delivery methods are used, then gas can be supplied to the nasal airway, but the concentration of therapeutic gas cannot be controlled, leading to inefficient treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables precise control of therapeutic gas concentration by adjusting the composition of the gas mixture supplied during exhalation. The scrubber system modifies the exhaled breath composition to achieve optimal concentrations of therapeutic gases such as carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, oxygen, and helium, thereby improving treatment efficiency through controlled parameter optimization.
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 device allows for controlled, high-concentration delivery of therapeutic gases to the nasal airway, preventing inhalation and enhancing the efficacy of treatments for conditions like headaches and allergies by increasing the concentration of gases like carbon dioxide.
Implementation Method 1
a scrubber which is operative at least to reduce the concentration of at least one gas from an exhaled breath of the subject
Implementation Method 2
provide a gas flow to the nosepiece which has an increased concentration of at least one other, therapeutic gas
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery device for and a method of delivering gases to the nasal airway, in particular therapeutic gases and gases in combination with active substances, either as powders or liquids, for enhanced uptake of the active substances.