Heated Respiratory Hose Coupling and Helix for Condensation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory hose assemblies for medical applications face issues with condensation, leading to potential obstruction and patient safety risks due to uneven heating and complex sensor placement, and existing solutions like water traps and heating wires are inefficient or prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A heated respiratory hose assembly with integrated heating wires within the support helix for uniform heat distribution, minimal components to reduce assembly errors, and a simplified fitting system with undermold couplings for secure connections and sensor integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If heating wires are laid inside hoses to prevent condensation, then condensation is reduced, but heating becomes uneven and condensation may still occur in some portions
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented into multiple independent heating zones along the hose length, with multiple temperature sensors positioned at different locations. This allows independent control of heating in different segments, ensuring uniform temperature distribution throughout the hose and preventing condensation in all portions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the hose receive differentiated heating control based on local temperature conditions. Temperature sensors monitor specific locations, and heating wires adjust power delivery locally to maintain uniform temperature across the entire hose, addressing the uneven heating problem.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If water traps are added to hoses to collect condensation, then gas flow obstruction is minimized, but the system becomes more complex and requires regular maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The water trap component is completely removed from the system. Instead of collecting condensation, the heated hose assembly prevents condensation formation through uniform heating, eliminating the need for water traps and their associated complexity and maintenance requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fittings and sensors are used in hose assemblies, then functional requirements are met, but assembly errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fittings and sensor connections are merged into integrated connector assemblies. The connectors incorporate sensor mounting features and sealing mechanisms in unified structures, reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps, thereby minimizing assembly errors while maintaining all required functional capabilities.
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 solution effectively prevents condensation, reduces assembly errors, and ensures safe and efficient gas flow by providing uniform heating and secure connections, enhancing patient safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heating wires within the support helix for uniform heat distribution
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Helically winding an extruded web to form a wall of a heated hose about a central axis, extruding a bead of plastics material around a heating wire such that the extruded bead comprises the heating wire at a first location within a cross-section of the extruded bead, helically winding the extruded bead onto the wall of the hose to provide a support helix, and exerting tension on the heating wire to draw down the heating wire toward the central axis such that the heating wire migrates radially inward from the first location to a second location within the cross-section of the extruded bead. Unwinding a portion of a support helix that comprises a heating wire from a wall of a hose at an end of the hose; sleeving a length of heatshrink tubing at least partly onto the unwound portion of the support helix; heating the heatshrink tubing to shrink onto at least part of the unwound portion of the support helix; and at an end of the unwound portion, directly connecting the heating wire to an electrical contact of an electrical connector. An undermold coupling to couple a hose to a hose fitting includes: a tubular portion to be inserted into a hose interface of the hose fitting; threads formed on an inner surface of the tubular portion to engage a support helix on an end of the hose as a set of threads; and a first grating comprising a first plurality of elongate portions to intermesh with a corresponding second plurality of elongate portions of a second grating of the hose interface, wherein the first plurality of elongate portions extend into a second plurality of slots defined by the second plurality of elongate portions, and the second plurality of elongate portions extend into a first plurality of slots defined by the first plurality of elongate portions.