Pneumatic Oxygen Delivery System with Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Monitoring exhaled breath is impaired due to dilution from oxygen delivery during breathing disorders treatment, as supplying oxygen during inhalation increases the risk of sample dilution in capnography measurements of exhaled CO2.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic system for oxygen supply that synchronizes oxygen delivery with inhalation and exhalation using a flow control element, such as a piston, to redirect oxygen flow away from the mask during exhalation, preventing dilution of exhaled breath by controlling the flow based on changes in pneumatic pressure caused by the patient's breathing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If oxygen is supplied during inhalation, then oxygen delivery is improved, but exhaled breath measurement is impaired due to dilution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen deliveryVSAvoidcapnography measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches the oxygen flow direction based on the patient's breathing phase. During inhalation, oxygen flows to the patient delivery outlet; during exhalation, oxygen is redirected to the exhaust. This dynamic flow control resolves the contradiction by providing oxygen when needed while preventing dilution during measurement phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic action by synchronizing oxygen delivery with the patient's breathing cycle. Oxygen is delivered during inhalation phases and redirected during exhalation phases, creating a periodic pattern that maintains both effective oxygen therapy and accurate capnography measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If oxygen flow is increased to treat breathing disorders, then oxygen therapy effectiveness is improved, but sample dilution in the oxygen mask increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen therapy effectivenessVSAvoidexhaled breath sample quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The oxygen flow is segmented into separate pathways based on breathing phase. One pathway delivers oxygen to the patient during inhalation, while another pathway exhausts oxygen away from the mask during exhalation. This segmentation allows high flow rates for effective therapy without compromising sample quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow control element acts as an intermediary that mediates between the oxygen supply and the patient delivery system. It intercepts and redirects oxygen flow based on breathing phase, preventing direct mixing of delivered oxygen with exhaled breath samples during measurement phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If continuous oxygen supply is maintained, then patient oxygenation is improved, but CO2 sampling accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient oxygenationVSAvoidCO2 sampling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous oxygen supply to the patient while periodically redirecting flow during exhalation phases. This periodic redirection ensures undiluted CO2 sampling occurs during exhalation without interrupting overall oxygenation, as oxygen delivery resumes immediately during the next inhalation phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The flow control system dynamically adjusts oxygen distribution in real-time based on detected breathing phase. During inhalation, oxygen flows to the patient for oxygenation; during exhalation, flow is redirected to preserve sampling accuracy. This dynamic adjustment maintains both reliability of oxygenation and precision of measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 reliable capnometric measurements by ensuring undiluted CO2 sampling during exhalation, improving the accuracy of breath monitoring without interfering with oxygen delivery.

Implementation Method 1

The system may use changes in pneumatic pressure caused by the patient's inhalation/exhalation to control the flow of oxygen towards/away from the oxygen mask

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure changes: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

inhalation by the patient may cause the sliding cap to be sucked into its first position, thereby increasing the gap of the nozzle and reducing the pressure within the pneumatic chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS10953189B2Pneumatic system for controlled oxygen delivery

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 ORIDION MEDICAL 1987

AI summary

A pneumatic system for delivering oxygen to a subject, including an oxygen supply channel having an inlet, a patient delivery outlet and an exhaust; and a flow control element configured to control the flow from the oxygen inlet to the patient delivery outlet, or to the exhaust; wherein inhalation by the patient causes the flow control element to assume a first position, allowing oxygen to flow from the oxygen inlet to the patient delivery outlet; and wherein exhalation by the patient causes the flow control element to assume a second position, directing oxygen flow from the oxygen inlet to the exhaust.