Dual-Regulating Oxygen Valve for Pulsed and High-Flow Therapy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical gas flow control systems in hospitals are not efficient for managing varying patient needs, as they lack the ability to switch between settings quickly and cannot deliver gas flows higher than 6 l/min, leading to suboptimal oxygen therapy and increased consumption.
Innovation Solution
A gas valve system with a regulating mechanism that allows for efficient switching between pulsating and continuous gas flow settings, capable of delivering flow rates up to 10 l/min, featuring a dual sub-regulating system for pulsating and continuous flow control, and designed for use with both one-channel and two-channel nasal cannulas, ensuring accurate and adaptable oxygen therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional continuous flow system is used, then oxygen supply is simple and reliable, but gas consumption is high and patient mobility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by switching from continuous oxygen flow to pulsed flow that synchronizes with patient inhalation cycles. The valve opens periodically during inhalation phases and closes during exhalation, delivering oxygen in controlled pulses rather than continuous stream. This reduces overall gas consumption while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness, directly addressing the high gas consumption problem of conventional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service through automatic inhalation detection using a nasal cannula that senses patient's breathing patterns. The detected inhalation signals automatically trigger the valve to open and deliver oxygen pulses without requiring manual intervention. This automated feedback mechanism simplifies operation while enabling the complex pulsed delivery function, resolving the contradiction between reduced gas consumption and increased device complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If a pulsed oxygen delivery system is implemented, then gas consumption is reduced, but the system cannot meet high flow rate requirements (>6 l/min)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the oxygen delivery system adaptable and adjustable. The valve incorporates adjustable parameters including pulse duration, pulse frequency, and flow rate settings that can be dynamically modified based on patient needs. This allows the system to deliver high flow rates (>6 l/min) when required while maintaining pulsed delivery for normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between quantity of gas delivered and delivery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements parameter changes by allowing modification of key operational parameters such as pulse width, pulse frequency, and flow rate. These parameters can be adjusted to match varying patient requirements, enabling the system to transition between low-flow pulsed mode for conservation and high-flow mode when therapeutic demands increase, thereby satisfying both gas quantity requirements and productivity constraints.
3Reliability
If manual adjustments are required for changing patient conditions, then treatment accuracy is maintained, but response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through an automatic inhalation detection system using a nasal cannula that continuously monitors patient breathing patterns. The detected inhalation signals provide real-time feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts oxygen delivery timing and parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains treatment accuracy by synchronizing oxygen pulses with actual patient inhalation while eliminating manual adjustment delays, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and response time.
4Measurement precision
If a dual-channel nasal cannula is used for inhalation detection and oxygen supply, then oxygen delivery precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a dual-channel nasal cannula that performs multiple functions simultaneously. One channel detects inhalation patterns while the other delivers oxygen, allowing the single device to serve both sensing and actuation purposes. This multi-functional approach improves inhalation detection precision and oxygen delivery accuracy without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the cannula itself integrates both functions in a unified structure.
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 system achieves significant gas savings (up to 80% reduction) by optimizing oxygen delivery, reducing environmental impact, and providing a safer, more flexible treatment option that adapts to changing patient conditions without requiring manual adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The underpressure activates and opens an oxygen valve through which an oxygen pulse (aka bolus) is generated. Detecting the inhalation and supplying the oxygen occurs by means of a nasal cannula.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas valve is adapted for controlling the flow of a medical gas for oxygen therapy in case of spontaneous breathing. The gas valve comprises a connection component for connecting the gas valve to an external supply; and a regulating system configured for selecting and supplying a pulsating flow of medical gas or a continuous flow of medical gas, in which the regulating system comprises a first sub-regulating system for supplying a pulsating flow and a second sub-regulating system for supplying a continuous flow.