Proportional NO Delivery Valve for Pulsed Low-Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NO delivery systems for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension require complex and costly internal gas circuits due to the need for multiple actuators to cover various flow ranges, especially when treating children or newborns, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A NO/N2 gas supply apparatus with a main solenoid valve and pilot means for flow control, incorporating a bypass circuit with secondary flow control means, allowing operation in pulsed and proportional modes, and utilizing a proportional solenoid valve with adjustable opening degrees and a secondary on/off solenoid valve for precise flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple actuators are mounted in parallel to cover different flow ranges, then the flow control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a single proportional solenoid valve that can operate in multiple modes (proportional mode for high flow rates and pulsed mode for low flow rates) to replace multiple actuators. This multi-functional approach allows one valve to cover the entire flow range required for both adult and pediatric treatments, eliminating the need for multiple specialized actuators and simplifying the internal gas circuit while maintaining precise flow control across all ranges.
2Measurement precision
If multiple actuators are mounted in parallel to cover different flow ranges, then the flow control precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single proportional solenoid valve capable of operating in both proportional mode and pulsed mode to serve the entire flow control range. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble multiple different actuators, reducing component costs, assembly complexity, and overall manufacturing expenses while maintaining the precision required for different patient sizes and treatment protocols.
3Manufacturing precision
If a proportional solenoid valve operates in low flow ranges with high precision, then the treatment accuracy for children and newborns is improved, but the valve operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pulsed mode operation where the proportional solenoid valve opens and closes rapidly in periodic pulses to deliver precise low flow rates for pediatric and newborn treatments. This periodic action allows the valve to achieve high precision in low flow ranges by controlling the pulse width and frequency, simplifying the operation compared to requiring a completely different valve type while maintaining the necessary delivery accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the proportional solenoid valve by switching between proportional mode (for high flow rates) and pulsed mode (for low flow rates). This parameter change allows the same valve to adapt to different flow requirements, maintaining precision across the entire range without requiring complex manual adjustment or switching between multiple valve configurations.
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 solution provides efficient and precise NO delivery with reduced complexity and cost by enabling flexible flow control across different ranges, suitable for treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, including children and newborns.
Implementation Method 1
a proportional solenoid valve with opening degrees ranging from 0 to 100%
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a NO supply apparatus (1) comprising a main gas circuit (40) with flow control means (42, 43) including at least one main solenoid valve (42) controlled by control means (50) to control the flow rate of the NO/N2 mixture passing through said at least one main solenoid valve. The main solenoid valve is a proportional solenoid valve having opening degrees from 0 to 100%, and is configured to operate in at least two given operating ranges corresponding to different opening degrees of the main solenoid valve. The control means are configured to control the main solenoid valve in pulsed mode in one of the operating ranges so as to deliver successive gas pulses (IG) and in proportional mode in another operating range.