Removable Water Trap for Respiratory Gas Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sidestream respiratory gas analysis systems incur high costs due to the disposable nature of water traps and sampling chambers, which are typically replaced after each use, leading to unnecessary waste and increased expenses.

Innovation Solution

A removable water trap device with a housing and filter assembly that can be independently replaced, connected to both the patient interface and the gas analysis bench via tether assemblies, effectively removing moisture from the respiratory gas stream and allowing for continuous monitoring without the need for frequent replacement of patient interface components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the water trap and sampling chamber are included in the disposable patient interface assembly, then the system is easy to operate and maintain, but the cost increases and waste is generated due to frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidwaste of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The water trap device is segmented from the patient interface assembly, allowing the water trap to be replaced independently while the patient interface can be reused. This segmentation enables selective replacement of only the consumable water trap component rather than the entire patient interface assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water trap function is extracted from the disposable patient interface assembly and placed in a separate, reusable assembly. This extraction allows the water trap to be serviced and replaced independently, preventing the unnecessary disposal of the entire patient interface assembly along with the water trap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the water trap is part of the disposable patient interface assembly, then replacement is simple, but the cost of frequent replacements increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replacementVSAvoidcost of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into reusable and disposable components, with the water trap device as a separate replaceable unit. This segmentation maintains ease of replacement while reducing costs by allowing the expensive patient interface assembly to be reused.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows the water trap (consumable) to be discarded and replaced while recovering and reusing the patient interface assembly (valuable component). This selective discarding approach reduces waste and costs associated with replacing the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If the filter assembly is permanently attached to the housing, then the structure is simpler, but the flexibility and reusability of the system decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidreusability of patient interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is segmented as a separate, replaceable component within the water trap device. This segmentation allows the filter to be replaced independently while maintaining the reusable status of the water trap housing and patient interface assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, permanently attached configuration to a dynamic, replaceable configuration. The filter assembly and water trap components are designed to be easily assembled and disassembled, enabling flexibility in maintenance and reuse scenarios.

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

This solution reduces waste and costs by allowing the water trap to be replaced independently of the patient interface, maintaining accurate gas analysis while minimizing the frequency of component replacements, thus lowering overall expenses and improving system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a filter assembly insertably contained within the housing and configured to remove moisture from the respiratory gas stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS9974916B2Sidestream respiratory gas sampling system with flexible accessories and removable water trap

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A removable water trap device (110) removes moisture from a respiratory gas stream from a patient interface assembly (140), enabling monitoring of gas within the respiratory gas stream by an analysis bench (120). The device includes a housing (111), an upstream water trap connector (115), and a filter assembly (360). The housing includes a first portion (210) insertably attachable to a tether assembly receptacle (132) to connect the device to the analysis bench for delivering the gas stream via a tether line (136). The upstream water trap connector is attachable to a downstream patient interface connector (141, 143) in a sample flow line (145, 148) of the patent interface assembly for receiving the gas stream via the sample flow line. The filter assembly is insertably contained within the housing and configured to remove moisture from the gas stream, the filter assembly including a downstream water trap connector (116) attachable with the tether line within the tether assembly receptacle. The filter assembly is replaceable independently of replacement of the patient interface assembly.