Respiratory Valve Switching Between Ventilator and Resuscitation Bag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory valve systems for endotracheal procedures fail to maintain continuous ventilation and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) during switching between respirator and resuscitation bag, leading to potential lung collapse and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory valve apparatus that efficiently switches between a respirator and a resuscitation bag without disconnecting the respiratory support system, using a reciprocating valve assembly with preloaded seals to maintain PEEP and prevent contamination, and includes a universal adapter for different resuscitation bags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary valve with multiple ports is used to switch between respirator and suction catheter, then ventilation function is maintained, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve is segmented into a body portion and a cap portion that can be separately assembled. The cap portion contains the suction catheter port and can be independently removed or cleaned, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the multi-port ventilation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction catheter port is extracted as a separate functional element in the cap portion, allowing it to be independently accessed, cleaned, or replaced without affecting the main valve body or ventilation ports.
2Reliability
If precise control of circular tolerances is implemented to prevent leakage, then sealing reliability improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into modular segments (body and cap) that can be manufactured separately with relaxed tolerances and then assembled together, reducing the need for expensive precision machining of the entire valve as a single piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed as a disposable component that can be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for high-precision manufacturing and quality control measures that would be required for reusable valves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the respirator is disconnected to attach a resuscitation bag, then manual resuscitation is enabled, but PEEP is lost and lung collapse risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The respirator port and resuscitation bag port are merged into a single valve assembly that can selectively connect either source to the patient without disconnection. The rotary mechanism allows seamless switching between the two gas sources while maintaining continuous PEEP delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design ensures continuous delivery of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to the patient during switching between respirator and resuscitation bag, eliminating interruptions that could cause lung collapse.
4Ease of operation
If a suction catheter is inserted and removed through the endotracheal tube, then aspiration is achieved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction catheter access is segmented into a separate cap portion that can be independently removed and sterilized. This allows the main valve body connected to the respirator to remain sealed and sterile while the catheter access point can be cleaned or replaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap portion acts as an intermediary barrier between the sterile internal valve system and the external suction catheter. It can be removed for catheter insertion and then reattached to seal the system, preventing direct exposure of the internal components to contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory valve apparatus with a housing having an inner chamber, an endotracheal tube connection port, a respirator connection port and a resuscitation bag connection port. A valve positioned within the inner chamber can switch the flow between a manual resuscitation bag port and a ventilator port enabling the patient to be treated without having to disconnect the respirator support system to thereby connect the resuscitation bag. This prevents the loss of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) in the lungs and guards against lung collapse and hemodynamic compromise. The valve includes preloaded seals that will create minimal dragging during valve actuation and work under both positive and negative pressure. The apparatus includes a tethered cover for closure of the resuscitation bag port for sealably covering the port when a bag is not attached or the ventilator connector during patient transport. A sealing arrangement within the resuscitator bag port insures that PEEP in maintained when the resuscitator bag adapter is inserted into the housing.