Respiratory Physiotherapy Device with Non-Return Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory physiotherapy devices fail to effectively exercise both inhalation and exhalation muscles in their natural physiological sequence, and lack comprehensive lung parameter monitoring and feedback.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory physiotherapy device with a chamber and non-return valves that direct air flow upwards during both inhalation and exhalation, incorporating a movable body to resist airflow and provide resistance-based muscle exercise, while monitoring lung capacity and resistance through a graded scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a respiratory physiotherapy device is designed to exercise only inhalation muscles or only exhalation muscles, then the device structure can be simpler, but it cannot exercise both inhalation and exhalation muscles in their natural physiological sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a chamber with non-return valves that allows the same structure to handle both inhalation and exhalation phases. The non-return valves enable the chamber to function as both an inhalation resistance chamber and an exhalation resistance chamber, making the device universal for exercising both sets of respiratory muscles in their natural physiological sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The device divides the airflow path into separate inhalation and exhalation channels using non-return valves. This segmentation allows independent control and resistance adjustment for each phase while maintaining a unified chamber structure, enabling the device to address both inhalation and exhalation muscle exercise without excessive complexity.
2Loss of information
If prior art devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but they lack comprehensive lung parameter monitoring and feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a graded scale that provides visual feedback on the position of the movable body, which reflects lung capacity and resistance parameters. This feedback mechanism allows users to monitor their respiratory performance in real-time without requiring complex electronic monitoring systems, thus reducing information loss while maintaining relative simplicity.
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 seamless respiratory cycles that exercise both inhalation and exhalation muscles naturally, providing real-time feedback on lung performance and capacity, enhancing muscle strength and lung function.
Implementation Method 1
The lower end (3) of the chamber (2) communicates with a first air inflow opening (31), for the inflow of exhaled air and with a second air inflow opening (32) for the inflow of inhaled air
Implementation Method 2
A body is provided in the chamber (2), between the lower end (3) and the upper end (4), and is vertically movable upwards when impinged upon by the inhaled or exhaled air that rises through the chamber (2), against its own weight force
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed herein a respiratory physiotherapy device (1) for exercising inhalation and exhalation in their natural physiological sequence, which affords estimation of the lung capacity of the exercising individual.