Handheld PEP Device Float Valve Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional positive expiratory pressure (PEP) devices are large and require a power source, making them impractical for portable and discreet use, especially for patients needing therapy outside of a hospital or home environment.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held PEP device comprising a housing, float, stop, and biasing member, where the float is urged by a compressive spring against a sealing surface, allowing users to adjust resistance by rotating a top component, creating positive expiratory pressure through exhalation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional therapeutic PEP devices are designed to provide effective positive expiratory pressure, then the therapy reliability is improved, but the device size increases and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a mouthpiece assembly, a valve mechanism, and a housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while reducing the overall device volume, enabling portability without sacrificing therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential PEP-generating function from complex hospital equipment and isolates it into a standalone, portable device. By removing unnecessary components and focusing only on the core function of creating positive expiratory pressure, the device achieves both portability and therapeutic reliability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional PEP devices include power sources and control systems, then the therapy precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the patient's own exhalation to generate the required positive pressure, eliminating the need for external power sources. The valve mechanism automatically responds to the patient's breathing pattern, providing precise pressure control without complex electronic controls or power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic pressure control systems with a purely mechanical valve mechanism that responds to pressure differential. This mechanical approach achieves sufficient therapy precision while dramatically reducing device complexity and eliminating power requirements.
3Reliability
If conventional PEP devices are designed for hospital use, then the therapy reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to fixed location requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static hospital-based system to a dynamic, portable system that can be moved and used in various locations. The compact design and simple operation enable patients to perform therapy anywhere, maintaining consistent therapeutic效果 while greatly improving ease of operation through portability.
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
Enables portable and discreet generation of positive expiratory pressure, allowing users to create the desired resistance for pulmonary therapy, facilitating treatment anywhere, while being compact enough to fit in a user's hand.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member can be, for example and without limitation, a compressive spring configured to be positioned between a portion of the second face of the float and the proximal face of the stop. In use, the spring can urge the float away from the stop and towards the sealing surface of the housing.
Implementation Method 2
When a user of the PEP device exhales into a mouthpiece of the housing, the expiratory air pressure can urge the float away from the sealing surface creating the desired positive expiratory pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held positive expiratory pressure device is presented. A float is insertable into an internal chamber of a housing and is urged towards a sealing surface by a biasing member to restrict or prevent airflow through the internal chamber. A user exhaling through the device urges the float away from the sealing surface to allow fluid to flow through the internal chamber. An adjustable stop positioned in the internal chamber selectively adjusts the amount of force exerted by the biasing member on the float.