Respiratory Pressure Therapy Device Dock for Modular Humidification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current respiratory disorder treatment devices, such as CPAP machines and ventilators, often suffer from discomfort, high costs, poor fitting, and inefficiencies in humidification, leading to suboptimal patient experience and treatment efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A humidification system with a water reservoir that varies thermal contact between a heater plate and a conductive portion based on air pressure, ensuring efficient heat transfer and preventing overfilling, integrated into a respiratory pressure therapy device for improved comfort and efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a water reservoir is integrated into the RPT device, then humidification function is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidification functionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dock is designed with a universal interface that can alternatively receive either a water reservoir for humidification or an end cap for non-humidification operation. This multi-functional design allows the same structural component to serve different purposes, adding the humidification capability without requiring separate dedicated structures for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic configuration where the user can switch between humidification and non-humidification modes by simply replacing the water reservoir with an end cap or vice versa. This dynamic adaptability enables the device to change its functionality based on treatment requirements without permanent structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If thermal contact between heater plate and conductive portion is increased, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but risk of overheating increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidoverheating risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes thermal parameters by carefully designing the conductive portion's geometry and material properties to achieve optimal thermal contact. The heater plate is equipped with temperature sensors and control systems that dynamically adjust heating parameters to maintain efficient heat transfer while preventing overheating through real-time parameter monitoring and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The heating system incorporates feedback control where temperature sensors monitor the thermal state of the water reservoir and heater plate, and the control system adjusts the heating power accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures efficient heat transfer is maintained while automatically preventing overheating conditions by reducing power when temperature thresholds are approached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the dock is designed to alternatively receive water reservoir or end cap, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The water reservoir and end cap are designed with homogeneous interface features that match the dock's receiving structure. Both components share the same engagement geometry, sealing interface dimensions, and locating features, allowing the dock to receive either component using the same manufacturing tolerances without requiring different precision levels for different modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

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 system enhances patient comfort by maintaining optimal air humidity and temperature, reducing device costs through efficient design, and improving treatment outcomes for respiratory disorders.

Implementation Method 1

a water reservoir that varies thermal contact between a heater plate and a conductive portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A humidification system with a water reservoir that varies thermal contact between a heater plate and a conductive portion based on air pressure, ensuring efficient heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11464935B2Respiratory pressure therapy device having dock configured to alternatively receive a water reservoir or an end cap

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 RESMED PTY LTD

AI summary

A respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device for pressurising breathable air to treat a respiratory disorder in a patient includes a pressure generator configured to pressurise breathable air, an RPT device inlet configured to receive breathable air from externally of the RPT device to be pressurised by the pressure generator, an RPT device outlet configured to be connected to an air circuit to direct breathable air pressurised by the pressure generator to the patient, a dock having a dock outlet and a dock inlet, and an external housing to enclose the pressure generator. The external housing forms an opening sized to alternatively receive an end cap or a water reservoir.