Manual Resuscitator Conduit for Single-User Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operation of bag-valve masks for respiratory resuscitation is challenging for a single person due to rapid fatigue and difficulty in maintaining a seal with the patient's face, requiring two rescuers to operate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device with an extending, flexible conduit connecting a compressible bag to a mask, allowing a single user to compress the bag using body parts other than their hands, enabling both hands to maintain the mask seal and reducing fatigue, with optional self-inflation and oxygen delivery via a reservoir bag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single person operates a bag-valve mask, then the device can be operated with fewer rescuers, but rapid fatigue occurs and it is difficult to maintain mask seal
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: an extending flexible conduit (separation element) that divides the connection between the compressible bag and mask, allowing the rescuer's hands to be separated from the bag compression task. This segmentation enables one hand to maintain mask seal while the other operates the bag, resolving the contradiction between single-user operation and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The extending flexible conduit acts as an intermediary element between the compressible bag and the mask, providing physical separation that allows the rescuer to compress the bag using body parts other than hands (such as knee or foot) while maintaining hand availability for mask seal. This intermediary component resolves the conflict between single-user operation capability and operational fatigue.
2Productivity
If both hands are used to compress the bag, then breath delivery can be controlled, but it becomes difficult to secure and seal the mask to the patient's face
Solution Approach 1:
The extending flexible conduit segments the operational tasks by providing physical separation between bag compression and mask sealing functions. This allows one hand to be dedicated to maintaining mask seal while the other hand (or body part) controls bag compression and breath delivery, eliminating the need to choose between breath control and mask sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The extending conduit introduces a spatial dimension (length) to the system architecture, creating physical distance between the bag and mask components. This dimensional separation allows the rescuer's hands to occupy different spatial positions - one at the mask and another at the bag - enabling simultaneous performance of both mask sealing and breath delivery control functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the conduit is extended to allow body parts other than hands to compress the bag, then single-user operation is facilitated, but the conduit length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is designed with dynamic flexibility rather than fixed rigidity, allowing it to adapt its effective length and configuration based on the rescuer's positioning and movement. This dynamic flexibility enables the conduit to reach various body parts (hand, arm, knee, foot) while maintaining a manageable base length, resolving the contradiction between single-user operation capability and conduit length.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a flexible conduit (rather than rigid tubing) allows the connection element to bend and extend as needed to reach different body parts for bag compression. This flexibility enables single-user operation with various body positions while keeping the actual conduit material length reasonable, as the flexible nature allows it to reach further effectively without requiring excessive length.
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
Enables single-user operation of bag-valve masks with reduced fatigue and improved seal maintenance, allowing longer operation without assistance, while maintaining effective oxygen delivery to the patient.
Implementation Method 1
the bag has shape memory to re-inflate to a resting, expanded or non-compressed state after removal of compressive force
Data Source
AI summary
A device for manual respiratory resuscitation or ventilation assistance includes a mask suitable to form a seal with a patients face, a compressible bag, and an extending, flexible conduit connected to a first opening in the bag and to a first opening in the mask to place the mask in fluid connection with the bag. The extending, flexible conduit is of sufficient length to allow a user to use one or more portions of the user's body other than either of the user's hands to compress the compressible bag.