Nasal Irrigation Device with Sealed Circuit Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for irrigating or washing the nasosinusian cavities often suffer from fluid penetration into the back of the throat, risk of overpressure, and hygiene issues due to the lack of separation between administration and sampling circuits, which can lead to contamination and spraying of the environment.
Innovation Solution
A device with a separation means creating a sealed separation between the administration and sampling circuits, using mechanical means to manage fluid transfer, and an additional circuit to promote closure of the soft palate by opposing resistance to the user's breathing flow, ensuring that the liquid administered in one nostril does not come into contact with soiled liquid from the other nostril.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid is administered into one nostril to flow out the other, then the nasal cavities are irrigated, but liquid penetrates into the back of the throat
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the irrigation system into separate administration and sampling circuits with a separation means (piston) that prevents liquid from flowing into the throat by creating independent, sealed pathways for fluid administration and removal
2Reliability
If a pump or pressure system is used to administer solution, then irrigation is more effective, but risk of trauma from excessive pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a separation means (piston) that responds to pressure differential between the two nostrils, automatically regulating fluid administration to maintain pressure equilibrium and prevent excessive pressure buildup in the nasal cavities
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure parameters by using the piston to equalize pressure between administration and sampling circuits, preventing pressure extremes that could cause trauma while maintaining effective irrigation flow
3Device complexity
If administration and sampling circuits are connected without separation, then device complexity is reduced, but hygiene is compromised due to contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the irrigation system into distinct administration and sampling circuits separated by a piston, creating isolated pathways that prevent cross-contamination while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary element between the administration and sampling circuits, providing a sealed separation that prevents direct contact between fresh and used irrigation fluids while allowing pressure equalization
4Productivity
If pressure in nasal cavities is increased to improve irrigation, then fluid administration is more effective, but Eustachian tube opens causing middle ear contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The separation means monitors and responds to pressure changes in real-time, automatically adjusting to maintain pressure equilibrium and prevent pressure spikes that would open the Eustachian tube
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls pressure parameters through the piston mechanism, maintaining pressure within safe limits that enable effective irrigation without triggering Eustachian tube opening
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 effectively prevents liquid from entering the throat during administration, maintains hygiene by isolating the administration and sampling circuits, and avoids overpressure in the ENT sphere, ensuring safe and effective treatment of nasal cavities.
Implementation Method 1
a separation means capable of creating a sealed separation between the administration circuit and the sampling circuit
Implementation Method 2
the separation means is constituted by at least one mechanical means capable of generating a movement of fluid in the administration circuit and the sampling circuit
Implementation Method 3
an additional circuit connectable to the mouth of the user, this circuit including a means, which can be adjustable, able to oppose a resistance to the flow of gas generated by the user and intended to promote closure of the cavum by the soft palate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The device i.e. syringe, has an administration circuit (100) sealingly connected to a user nostril (10) and containing liquid (105) to be administrated, and a sampling circuit (200) sealingly connected to a user face opening in communication with a breathing circuit such as stoma or another user nostril (20). A separating unit (300) creates a sealing separation between the administration circuit and the sampling circuit, so that administration of fluid in the former user nostril is subordinated for transferring the fluid in the sampling circuit.