Respiratory Access Port Assembly with Passive Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory access port assemblies for intubated patients often lack the ability to facilitate multiple treatments simultaneously without compromising the closed ventilation system, leading to complications such as ventilator-acquired pneumonia and risk of airway blockage due to the lack of a safety lock and inadequate sealing.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory access assembly with a distal and proximal plate configuration that allows for multiple access points without opening the closed system, featuring a passive safety lock mechanism to prevent loss of suction catheters and maintain positive end-expiration pressure, enabling simultaneous performance of therapies like ventilation, aspiration, and medication delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a respiratory access assembly allows multiple access ports for simultaneous treatments, then the ability to perform multiple therapies is improved, but the risk of compromising the closed ventilation system and causing infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is divided into a distal plate with multiple ports and a proximal plate that can selectively align with different ports. This segmentation allows multiple access points while maintaining control over which port is active at any given time, preventing simultaneous openings that could compromise the closed system.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly pre-configures multiple port alignments between the distal and proximal plates, allowing the system to be prepared for different treatments in advance. The plates can be rotated to pre-align specific ports before treatments begin, enabling smooth transitions between therapies without compromising system integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the assembly allows movement of plates for port alignment, then the ease of switching between access ports is improved, but the risk of catheter loss or guillotining increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator applies a preliminary locking action that prevents plate movement once a catheter is inserted and aligned. This counter-action occurs before any harmful movement can occur, securing the catheter in place and preventing guillotining or dislodgement while maintaining port alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism between the plates and the catheter. It detects when a catheter is present and mediates the locking of the plates, providing a safety buffer that prevents direct harmful interactions between moving plates and the catheter.
3Reliability
If the assembly maintains a locked position to prevent plate movement, then the safety of the catheter is improved, but the ability to switch between ports deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state only when needed for port switching. The actuator enables temporary plate movement when no catheter is present, then returns to the locked state, providing dynamic adaptability without compromising overall safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects when port switching is needed and enables/disables plate movement accordingly. The actuator senses the presence or absence of catheters and self-regulates the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring safety is maintained while enabling necessary port transitions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A respiratory access assembly includes a distal plate having a port, which is adapted to be positioned in operable communication with an artificial airway of a patient. The assembly includes a distal plate having a port and a proximal plate which has a first port and a second port. The distal plate is positioned against the proximal plate in a stacked configuration, and each plate is configured to move relative to the other. The assembly has an actuator which is positioned adjacent to at least one plate. The actuator cooperates with both plates to substantially prevent movement of the plates when the port of the distal plate is positioned in an alignment with at least one port of the proximal plate and an object, such as a suction catheter, is positioned through the aligned ports of the plates. The actuator cooperates with at least one plate to permit movement of at least one plate when (a) no object is positioned through aligned ports, and (b) when no ports are aligned. The assembly desirably has predetermined positions, which include a first open position, a second open position, and a third closed position. In the first open position, the port of the distal plate and the first port of the proximal plate are aligned. In the second open position, the port of the distal plate and the second port of the proximal plate are aligned. In the third closed position, the port of the distal plate, and the first and second ports of the proximal plates are blocked to prevent an object from being passed therethrough. A method of using the respiratory access assembly is provided.