Patient Interface Lumen Thru Hole for Liquid Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive ventilation and pressure support systems face accuracy issues due to liquid ingress in pressure sensing tubes, which compromises pressure readings during cleaning and usage.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface device with a lumen and connector member that includes a surface defining a thru hole for liquid escape, allowing undesirable liquid to exit and ensuring more accurate pressure sensor readings by minimizing resistance and maintaining pressure similarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lumen tube is used to transfer pressure from near the patient airway to the pressure sensor location, then pressure sensing capability is improved, but pressure accuracy deteriorates when liquid enters the lumen tube during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The lumen tube is segmented into functional zones: a pressure transfer lumen and a separate vent lumen. The vent lumen provides a dedicated liquid escape path that is separate from the pressure sensing path, allowing liquid to be vented without compromising pressure measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful liquid is extracted from the pressure transfer path by providing a separate vent lumen that opens to the external environment. This allows liquid to be removed from the system through a dedicated exit path that does not interfere with the pressure sensing function.
2Productivity
If the lumen tube is made small in diameter to minimize interference with gas flow, then gas flow delivery is improved, but liquid removal capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The internal cross-sectional area of the connector is segmented into two functional lumens: a small-diameter pressure transfer lumen for gas flow and a separate vent lumen for liquid removal. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently - the pressure lumen remains small to minimize gas flow interference while the vent lumen provides adequate liquid removal capability.
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 enables more accurate pressure support therapy delivery by removing liquid from the lumen, resulting in improved monitoring and control of pressure support systems.
Implementation Method 1
a surface provided on the connector member, the surface defining a thru hole through which undesirable liquid in the lumen can escape
Data Source
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AI summary
A patient interface device is for a pressure support system that includes a flow generator that produces a flow of breathing gas to be delivered to an airway of a patient. The patient interface device includes a sealing element to engage a face of the patient and receive the flow of breathing gas; a lumen having a first end and a second end opposite and distal the first end, the first end being in fluid communication with an interior of the sealing element; a connector member coupled to the second end of the lumen; a pressure sensor coupled to the connector member, the pressure sensor sensing pressure of a gas exiting the second end of the lumen; and a surface provided on one of the lumen and the connector member, the surface defining a thru hole through which undesirable liquid in the lumen can escape.