Respiratory Valve Piston for Closed-Circuit Suctioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory support systems face challenges in maintaining optimal blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels during suctioning procedures, which can lead to ventilator-associated pneumonia and lung collapse due to the interruption of respiratory support and exposure to contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory valve apparatus with multiple ports and a movable piston or lever mechanism that allows for seamless switching between mechanical and manual ventilation without opening the ventilator circuit, preventing fluid flow between ports and maintaining positive end-expiratory pressure, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and lung collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the respiratory support system is disassembled to perform suctioning or other invasive procedures, then access to the patient's trachea and lungs is achieved, but the patient's blood oxygen level drops and carbon dioxide levels become unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
A multi-port adapter is introduced as an intermediary device that enables suctioning and invasive procedures while maintaining the closed ventilator circuit. The adapter provides access ports for suction catheters and bronchoscopes without requiring disassembly of the respiratory support system, thereby preventing drops in blood oxygen levels and maintaining carbon dioxide levels within acceptable ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-port adapter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the sealed connection to the ventilator, provides access ports for suctioning and bronchoscopy, and allows for manual ventilation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to choose between maintaining respiratory support and performing necessary procedures.
2Ease of operation
If the respiratory support system is disassembled for suctioning procedures, then the trachea can be accessed for cleaning, but the patient's lungs are exposed to environmental contaminants increasing the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-port adapter acts as a sealed intermediary that allows suctioning and invasive procedures to be performed without breaking the closed ventilator circuit. By maintaining the seal throughout the procedure, the adapter prevents environmental contaminants from entering the patient's lungs, thereby reducing the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
3Ease of operation
If positive end expiratory pressure is not maintained during procedures, then the trachea can be accessed for invasive procedures, but the lungs can collapse creating a dangerous condition
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-port adapter maintains the sealed connection to the ventilator throughout invasive procedures, allowing positive end expiratory pressure to be continuously applied to the patient's lungs. This prevents lung collapse while still enabling necessary procedures such as suctioning and bronchoscopy to be performed safely.
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 minimizes patient discomfort, reduces the risk of ventilator-acquired pneumonia, and maintains positive end-expiratory pressure, allowing for procedures like bronchoscopy without opening the ventilator circuit, thus enhancing patient safety and reducing healthcare worker exposure to contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
The piston can prevent fluid flow between the second port and the third port when in the first position and prevent fluid flow between the first port and the third port when in the second position
Implementation Method 2
The respiratory valve apparatus can include can also include a spring that biases the piston in the first position. The spring can be compressible to thereby allow the piston to move into a second position
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the current subject matter can include systems, devices and methods related to embodiments of a respiratory valve apparatus. The respiratory valve apparatus can include a first port configured to couple to a ventilator, a second port configured to couple to a resuscitation bag or a transport ventilator, a third port configured to couple to an endotracheal tube, and a piston within a housing of the respiratory valve apparatus. The piston can include a first flow pathway that allows fluid flow between the first and third ports when in the first position and a second flow pathway that allows fluid flow between the second and third ports when in a second position. The piston can prevent fluid flow between the second and third ports when in the first position and prevent fluid flow between the first and third ports when in the second position.