Respiratory Support Facemask With Check-Valve Dead-Space Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory support devices such as high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and oxygen masks are limited in effectiveness and availability, particularly outside critical care settings, and there is a need for more efficacious oxygenation devices that can be used early in the hypoxic pathophysiologic process without requiring specialized equipment or skilled personnel.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory support apparatus comprising a manifold and facemask with check valves that minimize dead space volume, allowing for the delivery of high concentrations of oxygen through spontaneous breathing, with an anti-asphyxiation valve to ensure adequate oxygen supply and minimize dead space effects, and a bag reservoir to facilitate flushing of exhaled gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is used to treat hypoxia, then oxygen delivery is improved, but oxygen consumption increases substantially and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the large-volume flow requirement of HFNC by using a reservoir bag to store pre-delivered oxygen, allowing treatment at much lower flow rates (5-15 L/min vs 60 L/min for HFNC) while maintaining adequate oxygen delivery to the patient
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir bag performs preliminary action by pre-storing oxygen before the patient's inspiratory demand occurs, allowing the patient to receive concentrated oxygen without requiring continuous high-flow delivery during inspiration
2Quantity of substance
If high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is used to treat hypoxia, then oxygen delivery is improved, but contamination risk and facility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the pharyngeal washout mechanism inherent in HFNC by delivering oxygen through a facemask with reservoir bag system, eliminating the contamination risk and the need for negative pressure ventilation facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The invention copies the effective oxygen delivery mechanism of intensive care ventilators using simple, non-invasive components (facemask, reservoir bag, check valves) that can be used at home without specialized equipment or skilled personnel
3Ease of operation
If oxygen masks are used to treat hypoxia, then ease of use is improved, but oxygen delivery effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir bag performs preliminary action by pre-filling with concentrated oxygen before the patient's inspiratory demand, ensuring that high concentrations of oxygen are available immediately when the patient inhales, thereby improving oxygen delivery effectiveness while maintaining ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically responds to the patient's spontaneous breathing by using check valves that open during inspiration to deliver oxygen and close during exhalation to allow bag refilling, adapting to the patient's breathing pattern without requiring mechanical ventilation
4Quantity of substance
If ventilators are used to treat hypoxia, then oxygen delivery is improved, but device complexity and risk of respiratory arrest increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the patient to trigger oxygen delivery through their own spontaneous inspiratory effort, which opens the check valve and initiates flow from the reservoir bag without requiring external mechanical ventilation or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential oxygen delivery function from complex ventilator systems and implements it using simple components (facemask, reservoir bag, check valves) that maintain adequate oxygenation without the risks associated with mechanical ventilation
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 apparatus provides effective oxygen saturation in spontaneously breathing hypoxic patients, reducing the risk of respiratory arrest, ventilator dependency, and nosocomial infections while conserving oxygen and minimizing equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
The check valve is configured to allow communication of the respiratory gas into the manifold chamber during inhalation, and the check valve is configured to block communication of the respiratory gas into the manifold chamber
Implementation Method 2
A third check valve cooperates with the manifold to act as an anti-asphyxiation valve, and the third check valve may open to deliver ambient air into the manifold chamber during inhalation as triggered by exhaustion of respiratory gas within the bag reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
Respiratory support apparatus and related methods of use are disclosed herein that include a manifold and a facemask. The manifold is attachable to the facemask and includes valves that control the inflow and outflow of gas through the manifold and facemask. The valves are positioned to minimize the volume of the manifold to allow flushing of the manifold during a portion of exhalation. A volume of the facemask is also minimized to allow flushing of the facemask during the portion of exhalation. The flow rate of the respiratory gas and a dead space volume comprising the manifold volume of the manifold and a facemask volume of the facemask is configured to equate generally a detention time and a flushing time.