Nasal Ventilation Device with Pneumatic Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to effectively improve nasal ventilation, particularly in children, by making nasal breathing a habitual pattern, and lack the ability to measure airflow rates suitable for nasal ventilation, leading to suboptimal air conditioning and potential health issues such as reduced IQ and sinus hypopneumatization.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a sealing element and cannula system that allows for maximum airflow from one nostril, with a silicone lancehead-shaped sealing element and a telescopic cannula for efficient air delivery and a flow rate measurement system using a ping-pong ball or flow meter to track improvements in nasal ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a device is designed to measure maximum nasal airflow rates, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A movable body (ping-pong ball) is introduced as an intermediary element that translates airflow rate into visible displacement. The ball's movement through a graduated channel provides measurement capability without requiring complex electronic sensors or flow meters, thus maintaining measurement precision while minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses pneumatic pressure from the patient's exhaled air to move the ping-pong ball through a graduated channel. This pneumatic mechanism provides a simple, reliable way to measure and visualize airflow rate without electronic components, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
2Productivity
If a sealing element is inserted into the nostril to collect airflow, then airflow collection efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is made of flexible silicone material that can be easily inserted into and conform to the nostril shape. This flexibility improves sealing efficiency while maintaining ease of insertion and removal, resolving the contradiction between airflow collection efficiency and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate, easily removable components including the sealing element, cannula, and measurement chamber. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be quickly inserted and removed without manipulating the entire device, improving both sealing efficiency and ease of operation
3Ease of operation
If the device is made simple and pleasant to use, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ping-pong ball acts as a mechanical intermediary that provides accurate measurement through its displacement in a graduated channel. This simple visual measurement method maintains precision while keeping the device pleasant and stress-free to use, especially for children
Solution Approach 2:
The patient's own exhaled air provides the force to move the ping-pong ball, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex actuation mechanisms. This self-powered approach maintains measurement accuracy while keeping the device simple and comfortable to use
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 enables effective exercises to improve nasal ventilation by maximizing airflow to the paranasal sinuses, making nasal breathing a habitual pattern, and allows for frequent, stress-free use, including in children, while providing a means to assess progress and maintain hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
second means 3 suitable to highlight the flow of air crossing, in succession, the through cavity 7 of the sealing element 4, the inner channel 8 of the tube 5, and the operating end 9
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A device (1) for improving nasal ventilation is provided for, comprising first means (2) suitable to collect a flow of air emitted from a nostril and including a sealing element (4) suitable to be inserted in conditions of adherence into a nostril and having internally a through cavity (7), and at least one cannula (5) having an inner duct (8) extending between said through cavity (7) and an operating end (9) open and distanced from said sealing element (4),and comprising second means (3) consecutive to the operating end (9) and suitable to highlight the flow of air emerging from the operating end (9).