Replaceable Ventilator Gas Filter Housing for Reusable Media

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical ventilation systems face challenges such as the need for bulky, expensive, and difficult-to-transport equipment, waste generation from disposable filters, and the risk of infection from exhaled pathogens, exacerbated by shortages during pandemics.

Innovation Solution

A gas filter housing with a first and second housing body, snap clips, and a hinge, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of replaceable filter media, providing a secure seal and compatibility with standard connectors, reducing waste and infection risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a permanent foam filter media is used in the ventilation system, then the filter provides continuous protection against particles and microorganisms, but the filter becomes clogged over time requiring replacement of the entire housing to maintain patient safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter protection capabilityVSAvoidcost of filter replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two separable components: a permanent hydrophobic foam filter media that remains in the housing, and a disposable filter cover that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the expensive permanent media to be reused while only the cheaper cover is discarded after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A disposable filter cover is introduced as a low-cost, single-use component that protects the expensive permanent filter media. The cover is designed to be discarded after a single use or when clogged, while the permanent media continues to provide filtration functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If the entire filter housing is replaced when the filter media becomes clogged, then patient safety is maintained, but the cost increases due to replacement of the expensive permanent foam filter media

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidloss of permanent foam filter media

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two separable components: a permanent hydrophobic foam filter media that remains in the housing, and a disposable filter cover that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the expensive permanent media to be reused while only the cheaper cover is discarded after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable filter cover is discarded after use, while the permanent foam filter media is recovered and retained in the housing for continued use. This prevents loss of the expensive permanent media while maintaining patient safety through regular replacement of the disposable cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If a hydrophobic foam filter media is used to prevent water entry, then patient safety is improved, but the filter media becomes clogged with particles and microorganisms over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidfilter service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two separable components: a permanent hydrophobic foam filter media that remains in the housing, and a disposable filter cover that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the expensive permanent media to be reused while only the cheaper cover is discarded after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A disposable filter cover is introduced as a low-cost, single-use component that protects the expensive permanent filter media. The cover is designed to be discarded after a single use or when clogged, while the permanent media continues to provide filtration functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 efficient, cost-effective, and space-saving filtration of inhaled and exhaled air, minimizing waste and infection risk, while ensuring compatibility with medical ventilation systems.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrophobic foam filter media to prevent water from entering the ventilator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

The filter media may become clogged with particles and microorganisms over time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4188580B1Gas filter housing with replaceable gas filter media for medical ventilation systems

Publication Date: 2026.05.13 VAYU GLOBAL HEALTH INNOVATIONS PUBLIC BENEFIT CORP

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AI summary

A medical breathing gas filter housing includes a first housing body including a first port, and a second housing body including a second port. The gas filter housing is configurable between a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, the first housing body is snap fit to the second housing body such that first and second interior sides of the first and second housing bodies, respectively, define a cavity, the cavity sized to receive a replaceable gas filter media. In the open state, the first housing body is separated from the second housing body to provide access to the cavity.