Respiratory Gas Delivery With Switchable Humidification Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapy apparatuses require manual adjustment and disconnection of conduits to switch between humidifying and non-humidifying modes, which can be cumbersome for users with poor dexterity or those who find these steps non-intuitive.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an adjustable flow path and a movable humidification chamber that allows seamless switching between humidifying and non-humidifying modes without manual disconnection, featuring a platform that moves between active and inactive positions to accommodate the chamber's position, and an auxiliary flow path that communicates with housing ports to maintain gas stream delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate standalone humidifier is placed in-line between the respiratory therapy apparatus and a breathing conduit, then the apparatus can be switched between humidifying and non-humidifying modes, but the user is required to manually disconnect and reconnect the conduit to different outlets, which is problematic for users with poor hand dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the humidifier and flow path adjustment into a single integrated assembly. The movable flow path assembly includes both the humidifier and the conduit connection points, allowing the user to switch between humidifying and non-humidifying modes by moving the entire assembly rather than manually disconnecting and reconnecting conduits to different outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path assembly is designed to be movable between at least two positions: a first position where the conduit connects to the humidifier outlet for humidifying mode, and a second position where the conduit connects to the housing outlet for non-humidifying mode. This dynamic repositioning eliminates the need for manual disconnection and reconnection operations.
2Ease of operation
If the humidification chamber is integrated into the housing with a movable flow path, then mode switching becomes more intuitive, but the device complexity increases with additional moving parts and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into distinct functional modules: a housing, a movable flow path assembly (including the humidifier), and a conduit. This segmentation allows the complex flow path adjustment functionality to be isolated in a separate movable assembly, making the overall system easier to understand and operate while containing the complexity within a specific module.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable flow path assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as the humidifier housing, contains the conduit connection mechanism, and provides the movement mechanism for mode switching. By combining these functions into a single assembly, the patent reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate components for each function.
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 intuitive and less physically demanding mode switching, allowing users to operate the apparatus in humidifying mode at home and non-humidifying mode while traveling, with reduced complexity and effort.
Implementation Method 1
a blower for generating a gas stream
Implementation Method 2
the chamber inlet communicates with the housing outlet port to convey the gas stream through the humidification chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing respiratory assistance to a user via a user conduit. The apparatus being operable in a humidifying mode and a non-humidifying mode, and includes a humidification chamber for containing an amount of water that can be located in an operating position in the humidifying mode and, optionally separate from the apparatus in the non-humidifying mode. The apparatus may also have an auxiliary flow path that can be activated in the non-humidifying mode and a powered device that heats water in the humidification chamber when the apparatus is in the humidifying mode.