Portable HHFNC System with Integrated UV Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidified high-flow nasal cannula respiratory aid devices are immobile and impractical for use in transport or resource-poor settings due to their reliance on external infrastructure for operation, such as pressurized air, oxygen, and power, limiting their accessibility and mobility in treating neonatal or infant patients.
Innovation Solution
A portable and compact system that generates and delivers sterilized, humidified, warmed, and oxygenated air using a battery-powered diaphragm pump, integrated heating elements, and an automated UV sterilization mechanism within a durable and compact housing, allowing for handheld and mobile operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing HHFNC devices use external infrastructure (pressurized air, oxygen, power supplies), then they can provide reliable respiratory support, but they become immobile and impractical for transport or resource-poor settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple external infrastructure dependencies (air pump, oxygen source, humidification system, heating elements, UV sterilization, and power supply) into a single integrated portable device. This merging eliminates the need for separate external equipment while maintaining reliable respiratory support functionality, enabling mobility without sacrificing operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable HHFNC device performs multiple functions within a single unit: it generates pressurized airflow, mixes with oxygen, humidifies the air, heats the humidification chamber and tubing, sterilizes components with UV light, and regulates temperature. This multi-functionality replaces multiple separate hospital infrastructure systems, enabling the device to operate independently in resource-limited or mobile settings.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If existing HHFNC devices are stationary and rely on hospital outlets, then they can provide continuous treatment, but they do not allow for routine patient transports
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a stationary hospital-based system to a dynamic portable unit with an integrated battery power supply. This enables the device to move with the patient during transport while maintaining continuous respiratory support, eliminating the need to interrupt treatment for patient relocation.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing HHFNC devices lack integrated sterilization, then they are simpler to manufacture, but they require external sterilized water sources and risk treatment interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates an integrated UV sterilization system that autonomously sterilizes the humidification chamber and internal water reservoir. This self-service sterilization capability eliminates the need for external sterilized water sources, allowing the device to prepare its own sterile environment and maintain continuous treatment without interruption, even in resource-limited settings.
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 fully mobile infant patient care by providing reliable and continuous respiratory support, simplifying operation, and ensuring uninterrupted treatment, even in resource-limited environments, through its compact and battery-powered design.
Implementation Method 1
an air pump positioned within the housing and connected to an upstream end of the ambient air conduit, configured to transfer ambient air into the ambient air conduit
Implementation Method 2
the sterilization light source is a UV light
Implementation Method 3
a first heat source positioned near the humidification chamber and configured to heat water stored in the humidification chamber
Implementation Method 4
a second heat source configured to heat the air output conduit
Implementation Method 5
a humidification chamber connected to a downstream end of the blended air conduit and an upstream end of an air output conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A portable system for delivery of humidified high flow nasal cannula therapy includes a portable system housing, a respiratory circuit positioned within the housing comprising an ambient air conduit and an oxygen conduit merging downstream into a blended air conduit, an air pump positioned within the housing and connected to an upstream end of the ambient air conduit, configured to transfer ambient air into the ambient air conduit, an oxygen supply connection element connected to an upstream end of the oxygen conduit and configured to connect to an oxygen supply, a humidification chamber connected to a downstream end of the blended air conduit and an upstream end of an air output conduit, and a humidification chamber seating portion connected to the housing and configured to seat the humidification chamber, where the humidification chamber seating portion comprises a sterilization light source.