Oxygen Outlet Valve Coupling to Prevent Unintended Gas Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical ventilator systems face issues with oxygen wastage due to operator negligence, as flow meters are often left open, leading to unnecessary depletion of oxygen supplies during patient treatment.
Innovation Solution
A gas concentrator device with a valve mechanism that automatically shuts off when the conduit is disconnected from the gas source, preventing unintended gas release and ensuring sealed gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flow meters are left open to supply oxygen to patients, then oxygen delivery to patients is ensured, but oxygen wastage occurs due to operator negligence
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism automatically opens when the conduit is connected and automatically closes when the conduit is disconnected, enabling the system to self-regulate oxygen flow without requiring continuous operator intervention. This eliminates oxygen wastage while ensuring reliable delivery during actual use.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism senses the connection state of the conduit and automatically adjusts the valve position accordingly. When the conduit is connected, the valve opens to allow oxygen flow; when disconnected, the valve closes to prevent wastage, creating a closed-loop feedback control system.
2Ease of operation
If flow meters are used to regulate oxygen supply, then oxygen flow control is achieved, but unintended gas release occurs when flow meters are left open
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism automatically responds to conduit connection and disconnection events, opening the valve when connected and closing it when disconnected. This self-service capability prevents unintended gas release while maintaining ease of operation during patient treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is pre-configured to close automatically when the conduit is disconnected, anticipating and preventing the harmful effect of unintended gas release before it can occur. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for operator intervention to prevent waste.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual flow meter operation is used, then oxygen supply regulation is possible, but operator negligence leads to oxygen tank depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic valve mechanism takes over the responsibility of regulating oxygen supply, automatically opening when the conduit is connected and closing when disconnected. This eliminates operator negligence and prevents oxygen tank depletion while maintaining the ability to regulate supply according to patient needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the conduit connection state to automatically control the valve, ensuring oxygen is supplied only when actually needed. This feedback-controlled mechanism prevents unnecessary oxygen consumption and tank depletion while maintaining adaptability to patient requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for automatically controlling the flow of oxygen from a gas source is provided and includes the step of installing a gas concentrator device on an outlet port associated with the gas source. The gas concentrator device is configured to sealingly mate with a conduit connector for delivering a gas from the gas source to a conduit that is associated with the conduit connector. The method also includes the step of automatically providing gas flow from the gas source to the conduit by sealingly coupling the conduit connector to the gas concentrator device and whereupon removal of the conduit connector from the gas concentrator device causes the gas flow to automatically cease.