Nasal Irrigation Device Elastic Segment Pulsatile Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal irrigation devices either lack effectiveness in cleaning and rehabilitating nasal cilia due to their inability to generate turbulent flow, or they are complex and costly, limiting their accessibility and usability.
Innovation Solution
A high flow volume nasal irrigation device that alternates between pulsatile and continuous fluid flow using a segmented dip tube with an elastic segment that oscillates to generate pulsatile flow, allowing for variable intensity and frequency control, while maintaining a simple and affordable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a continuous low pressure stream device is used, then the device cost is low and flow rate capability is high, but the cleaning ability is less than optimal due to laminar flow paths and inability to project liquid medications into sinus cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by introducing a pulsating mechanism that converts continuous low-pressure flow into periodic high-pressure pulsatile flow. The pump delivers fluid in pulses rather than continuously, creating the turbulent flow and high shear stress gradients needed for effective cleaning and medication projection into sinus cavities, while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of a manually operated device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameters by transforming continuous low-pressure flow into pulsatile high-pressure flow. The pulsating pump varies the flow rate and pressure over time, creating peak pressures sufficient to project liquid medications into closed-end sinus cavities while maintaining average flow rates comparable to continuous devices.
2Reliability
If a pulsating electromechanical device is used, then the cleaning ability is improved with turbulent scouring flow and high shear stress gradients, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex electromechanical pump system with a simpler manually operated pulsating pump. The user generates the pulsatile flow through manual squeezing or compression actions, eliminating motors, power supplies, and electronic controls while achieving the same turbulent flow and high shear stress gradients needed for effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service by allowing the user to generate the pulsatile flow themselves through manual operation. The user's own physical action provides the driving force for the pump, eliminating the need for external power sources and complex mechanical drive systems, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If a pulsating electromechanical device is used, then the cleaning ability is improved with turbulent scouring flow, but the flow rate becomes less than optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a pulsatile flow regime where the flow rate varies over time with high peak flows during the pulsing phase. This dynamic flow pattern delivers the turbulent scouring action needed for effective cleaning during the pulse, while the overall volume delivery remains high because the pump can be operated continuously with repeated pulses.
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 provides effective cleaning and rehabilitation of nasal passages with improved distribution of medicated solutions and stimulation of nasal cilia, offering a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution that balances the benefits of both simple and complex irrigation devices.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic segment configured at the free end of the tube configured to oscillate about a bending in the segment in response to a differential pressure between an internal pressure and the applied pressure, the segment having an elastic restoring force in opposition to the bending
Implementation Method 2
differential pressure between an internal pressure and the applied pressure
Implementation Method 3
a pulsatile portion of the elastic segment configured to close at the segment bending and to reopen under the elastic restoring force and to thus generate a periodic pulsatile fluid flow through the tube
Implementation Method 4
an inlet structure configured to generate an initial fluid pressure drop across the structure to locate the pulsatile portion in the elastic segment and prevent the end from collapsing
Data Source
AI summary
A high flow volume nasal irrigation device for alternating pulsatile and continuous fluid flow includes a segmented dip tube with a free end extending inside a squeeze bottle configured to convey a liquid under an elevated chamber pressure from a reservoir therein to a lower pressure outside the bottle. The device also includes an elastic segment at the free end of the tube configured to oscillate about a bending in the segment in response to a differential pressure between an internal pressure and the chamber pressure, the segment having an elastic restoring force in opposition to the bending. The disclosed device further includes a pulsatile portion of the elastic segment configured to close at the segment bending and to reopen under the elastic restoring force and to thus generate a periodic pulsatile fluid flow through the tube with a period corresponding to the elastic segment oscillation.