Nasal Plug Stop Structure Prevents Condensed Water Choking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nasal oxygen catheters suffer from the issue of condensed water entering the patient's respiratory tract through the gas outlet, leading to water choking and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A nasal plug with a stop structure that surrounds the gas outlet and extends from the inner wall of the casing towards the cavity, preventing condensed water from entering the gas outlet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the transition from the inner wall of the casing to the inner wall of the gas outlet tube is direct smooth transition, then the gas flow is smooth and uninterrupted, but the condensed water can easily enter the gas outlet tube along the inner surface of the casing through the smooth transition part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow smoothnessVSAvoidcondensed water entry
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the smooth transition surface by introducing a stop structure that creates a distinct barrier zone. This segmentation divides the continuous inner wall into separate functional zones: a gas flow channel zone and a water prevention zone, allowing gas to flow smoothly while blocking condensed water from entering the gas outlet tube

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stop structure acts as an intermediary element between the casing inner wall and the gas outlet tube. It mediates the interaction between gas flow and condensed water by providing a physical barrier that selectively allows gas passage while preventing water entry, thus resolving the contradiction between smooth gas flow and water prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the stop structure extends deeply into the cavity to effectively block water, then water prevention is improved, but the gas flow path may be obstructed and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecondensed water blockingVSAvoidnasal plug structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop structure is designed with local quality differentiation: it has a first end with a larger inner diameter that allows gas flow and a second end with a smaller inner diameter that blocks condensed water. This localized variation in dimensions enables the structure to perform multiple functions (gas passage and water blocking) without requiring complex overall design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4223337B1Nasal plug for nasal oxygen catheter, nasal oxygen catheter and ventilation therapy device
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 BMC MEDICAL CO LTD
  • EP4223337B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4223337B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4223337B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A nasal plug for a nasal oxygen catheter, a nasal oxygen catheter, and a ventilation therapy device. The nasal plug comprises a body (1), which comprises a casing (11) and a cavity (12) located within the casing (11), and is provided with at least one gas outlet (2), the nasal plug further comprises a stop structure (3) that surrounds the at least one gas outlet (2) and extends from an inner wall of the casing (11) toward the cavity (12). The stop structure (3) surrounds the gas outlet (2) and extends from the inner wall of the casing (11) toward the cavity, thereby plays a role of preventing the condensed water on an inner wall of the cavity from entering the gas outlet, and solves the problem of water choking caused by the condensed water entering the patient's respiratory tract from the gas outlet.