Nozzle Guide Filtration Membrane for Clean Medical Gas Outlets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid distribution outlets in hospitals lack effective filtration mechanisms to remove particles such as dust, debris, and bacteria from medical gases and vacuum, necessitating regular maintenance and replacement of worn components.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle guide with a filtration element comprising a support piece and filtration membranes made of woven polymer fabric with controlled porosity, designed to filter out particles between 50 and 300 µm, integrated into the outlet structure for easy maintenance and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If filtration elements are added to the nozzle guide, then particle removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle contaminationVSAvoidnozzle guide structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration membranes are integrated directly into the lateral openings of the nozzle guide body, merging the filtration function with the existing structural component. This eliminates the need for separate filtration assemblies while achieving effective particle removal from medical gases and vacuum streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Filtration membranes with controlled porosity are installed in the lateral openings of the nozzle guide. These porous materials allow gas and vacuum to pass through while blocking particles ranging from dust and debris to bacteria, effectively addressing contamination without adding complex mechanical filtration systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Ease of repair

If the nozzle guide is designed for easy maintenance and replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent replacementVSAvoidassembly tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle guide is divided into separable components including the main body with lateral openings and removable filtration membranes. This segmentation allows individual components to be replaced independently during maintenance without requiring complete disassembly of the entire assembly, facilitating easy repair while using standard manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filtration membranes are designed as extractable elements that can be removed from the lateral openings of the nozzle guide. This extraction capability enables maintenance personnel to access and replace filtration elements without specialized tools or complex procedures, improving ease of repair while maintaining acceptable manufacturing precision through simple insertion and retention features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 effective filtration of gases and vacuum, ensuring cleanliness and reducing maintenance frequency by allowing quick disassembly and replacement of worn parts, while maintaining fluid control and safety.

Implementation Method 1

at least one gas filtration membrane being arranged in each of said lateral openings so as to cover said lateral openings, the filtration membranes being formed of a single cylindrical piece of a polymer material fabric comprising meshes having a mesh size between 50 and 300 μm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration through porous material: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3922339B1Guiding end tip for a fluid distribution wall socket including a filtering element with controlled porosity
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 AIR LIQUIDE MEDICAL
  • EP3922339B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3922339B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a nozzle guide (108) with a filter element (1) for a fluid distribution fitting (100). The filter element (1) comprises a support piece (2) including a peripheral wall (3) defining an internal housing (7) and extending between an open end (2a) including an orifice (4) and a blind end (2b). The orifice (4) communicates with the internal housing (7), and the peripheral wall (3) further includes at least one lateral opening (5). A gas filtration membrane (6) is arranged in each lateral opening (5) so as to cover this lateral opening (5). The filtration membranes (6) are formed of a polymer fabric comprising meshes with a mesh size between 50 and 300 µm. Fluid distribution fitting (100) having a fitting body (102) in which such a nozzle guide (108) including such a filter element (1) is arranged.