Resuscitator Air Filtration Layout to Cut Dead Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resuscitators do not effectively filter inspiratory air to prevent the transfer of pathogens without increasing dead space or resistance, posing risks of disease transmission to patients and operators.
Innovation Solution
A filter arrangement is located upstream the squeeze bag outlet opening to filter inspiratory air before reaching the patient, minimizing dead space and resistance by integrating the filter within the squeeze bag or using a PEEP valve filter to reduce pathogen exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is provided on the patient inspiratory port to catch aerosols including pathogens, then pathogen transmission risk is reduced, but dead space increases leading to increased rebreathing of air and hypercapnia
Solution Approach 1:
The filter arrangement is extracted from the patient inspiratory port location and relocated to the squeeze bag inlet opening or integrated within the squeeze bag. This extraction removes the harmful effect of dead space increase at the patient interface while maintaining the beneficial pathogen filtration function at the air intake source.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter arrangement acts as an intermediary element positioned at the squeeze bag inlet opening, filtering the inspiratory air before it enters the squeeze bag. This intermediary placement allows pathogen capture without introducing dead space into the patient's breathing pathway, as the filter is located outside the direct patient-to-bag communication path.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is provided on the patient inspiratory port to catch aerosols including pathogens, then pathogen transmission risk is reduced, but inspiratory and expiratory resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter arrangement is extracted from the patient inspiratory port and positioned at the squeeze bag inlet opening. This relocation eliminates the filter's negative impact on breathability at the patient interface while preserving its pathogen filtration capability at the air intake location.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter arrangement serves as an intermediary at the squeeze bag inlet, filtering air before it enters the bag system. This positioning allows the filter to perform its protective function without being in the direct path of patient inhalation and exhalation flows, thereby minimizing resistance to breathing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the filter arrangement is located outside the squeeze bag to filter inspiratory air, then pathogen filtration is achieved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter arrangement is merged with the squeeze bag structure by positioning it at the inlet opening or integrating it within the bag walls. This merging combines the filtration function with the existing bag structure, avoiding the need for separate external filter housings and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter arrangement is designed to serve multiple functions: filtering pathogens from inspiratory air, maintaining structural integrity of the bag inlet, and potentially serving as part of the bag's overall framework. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the device.
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 filters pathogens without increasing dead space or resistance, reducing the risk of disease transmission and maintaining operational efficiency during manual ventilation.
Implementation Method 1
a filter arrangement (11) located upstream the squeeze bag outlet opening (4) to filter inspiratory air from the squeeze bag (2) before reaching the patient valve arrangement (8) from the squeeze bag (2)
Implementation Method 2
a self-inflating elastic squeeze bag (2)
Data Source
AI summary
The resuscitator (1) includes a self-inflating squeeze bag (2) having an inlet opening accommodating an inlet valve arrangement (6) adapted to allow inflow of air into the squeeze bag and to prevent outflow of air from the squeeze bag through the inlet opening and an outlet opening accommodating a patient valve arrangement (8) adapted to allow outflow of air from the squeeze bag into the patient valve housing and adapted to prevent inflow of air into the squeeze bag through the outlet opening. The patient valve housing includes a patient connection port (9) for ventilation of a patient and a patient expiration outlet port (10) for outlet of exhaled gas from the patient valve housing to the surroundings. The resuscitator includes a filter arrangement (11) located upstream the outlet opening of the squeeze bag in order to filter air before reaching the patient valve arrangement from the squeeze bag.