Respiratory Isolation Device with Segmented Flow Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory treatment devices fail to provide distinct, separate, and isolated flow paths for inhalation and exhalation gases, leading to decreased efficacy and an increased risk of spreading infectious contagions carried in exhaled breath.

Innovation Solution

A respiratory isolation and treatment device with a body defining separate respiration and treatment passages, featuring a filter fitting for inhalation air and a mask fitting for exhalation, along with a treatment fitting that allows for selective fluidic communication with a treatment source, ensuring filtered delivery of therapeutic gases while preventing the spread of infectious particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single flow path is used for both inhalation and exhalation, then the device structure is simpler, but the treatment efficacy decreases and contagion spread risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path structureVSAvoidtreatment efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the flow path into separate inhalation and exhalation channels. The inhalation flow path includes a filter for filtering airborne particles, while the exhalation flow path includes a valve to control breath expulsion. This segmentation ensures that inhalation and exhalation are handled independently, improving treatment efficacy and preventing contagion spread while maintaining reasonable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single flow path is used for both inhalation and exhalation, then the device structure is simpler, but the contagion spread risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path structureVSAvoidcontagion spread risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the flow paths to separate inhalation and exhalation streams. The exhalation flow path includes a valve mechanism that controls and directs expelled breath away from the inhalation path and surrounding environment, thereby reducing contagion spread risk while maintaining acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve acts as an intermediary element in the exhalation flow path, mediating the controlled expulsion of breath. It prevents direct release of exhaled breath into the environment and ensures proper airflow direction, thereby mitigating contagion spread risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If separate flow paths are provided for inhalation and exhalation, then treatment efficacy improves and contagion spread is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidflow path structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device implements separate flow paths through systematic segmentation of the internal structure. The inhalation path includes a filter, while the exhalation path includes a valve, allowing independent optimization of each function. This segmentation achieves improved treatment efficacy and contagion control with manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mask fitting serves multiple functions: it seals to the user's face, provides the interface for both inhalation and exhalation flows, and connects to the treatment source. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining separate flow paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device effectively delivers respiratory treatments while filtering inhalation and exhalation gases, enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing the risk of contagion spread by maintaining isolated flow paths for inhalation and exhalation.

Implementation Method 1

A filter is coupled to the filter fitting such that inhalation air is filtered as it passes through the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

A seal is disposed in the treatment fitting and is transitionable from a closed state to an open state... The seal in the closed state substantially prevents fluid flow through the treatment fitting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11253670B1Respiratory isolation and/or treatment devices and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 APOGEE INNOVATIONS

AI summary

A device includes a body defining a respiration passage in fluidic communication with a filter fitting disposed on a first end of the body and a mask fitting disposed on a second end of the body, and a treatment passage in fluidic communication with the mask fitting. A treatment fitting is disposed on the body and is coupleable to a treatment source such that a seal in the treatment fitting transitions from a closed state to an open state to allow fluidic communication between the treatment source and the treatment passage. The device configured to permit (i) inhalation air and/or exhaled breath to be drawn and/or expelled through the filter fitting, the respiration passage, and the mask fitting and (ii) a respiratory therapeutic to be drawn from the treatment source coupled to the treatment fitting, through the treatment passage, and through the mask fitting.