Respiratory Access Assembly Rotating Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory access assemblies for intubated patients lack a safety lock, leading to complications such as hospital-acquired infections, unreliable operation, and inadvertent conversion from a closed to an open respiratory system, which can result in airway blockage and other serious health issues.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory access assembly with a movable manifold and a closed suction catheter assembly, featuring a shuttle that can be locked and unlocked, and a flap mechanism to control access, ensuring safe and predictable operation without compromising the closed system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a respiratory access assembly allows multiple access procedures, then the versatility of the system is improved, but the risk of inadvertent conversion from closed to open system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The respiratory access assembly is divided into separate functional ports (ventilation port, suction port, monitoring port) that can be independently accessed. Each port has its own access mechanism, allowing specific procedures to be performed without compromising the overall closed system integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety lock mechanism is engaged in advance to secure the shuttles in their initial positions, preventing inadvertent conversion before multiple access procedures begin. The closed system is prepared and locked prior to any access operations.
2Reliability
If a safety lock mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent conversion, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety lock mechanism automatically engages and disengages based on the position of the shuttles. When shuttles are in their initial positions, the safety lock is automatically engaged, providing fail-safe protection without requiring constant manual intervention or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety lock mechanism is dynamic rather than static - it automatically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on shuttle positions. This dynamic behavior provides reliability without requiring complex manual operation or additional control components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple access ports are provided for different procedures, then the versatility is improved, but the risk of infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple access ports are provided for different procedures (ventilation, suction, monitoring), but each port is segmented with its own safety lock and shuttle mechanism that independently maintains closed system integrity, preventing infection risk.
4Ease of operation
If the respiratory access assembly allows easy removal and exchange, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of maintaining closed system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety lock is automatically engaged in advance before any removal or exchange operations. This preliminary locking action ensures that the closed system integrity is maintained even during ease of operation features like quick removal and exchange.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A respiratory access assembly includes a movable manifold and a closed suction catheter assembly with a shuttle movable by actuator between the manifold and the closed suction catheter assembly. The assembly includes a flap positioned adjacent the shuttle and the closed suction catheter assembly which is moveable between an open position which permits passage of a suction catheter there through and a closed position, which prevents a passage of a suction catheter. The respiratory access assembly permits operable communication with the artificial airway to permit suctioning when in an un-locked position, and prevents the entrance of a suction catheter when in the locked position. A method for using a respiratory access assembly.