Rotatable Respiratory Connector for Neonatal and Adult Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wye-pieces in respiratory assistance systems are rigid, causing patient discomfort and creating dead space that leads to gas rebreathing, and lack flexibility to accommodate individual patient preferences and arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A connector with rotatable and offset ports that allow for adjustable orientation of the patient interface relative to the inspiratory and expiratory conduits, enabling versatile configurations for different therapeutic needs and patient sizes, including neonatal, pediatric, and adult interfaces, with selectively closable ports for various therapies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid wye-pieces are used to connect inspiratory and expiratory conduits to the patient interface, then structural stability and connection reliability are improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and dead space increases causing gas rebreathing
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple rotatable segments (inspiratory conduit, expiratory conduit, and patient interface portion) that can independently rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function while reducing the rigid structure that causes discomfort and dead space.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates rotatable joints that allow dynamic adjustment of the angles between inspiratory conduit, expiratory conduit, and patient interface. This dynamic capability enables the connector to adapt to different patient positions and preferences, minimizing dead space and improving comfort while maintaining reliable connections.
2Device complexity
If a single fixed-configuration connector is used, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different patient preferences and therapeutic needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector uses rotatable joints with detent mechanisms that allow it to be configured in multiple fixed positions. This provides adaptability to different patient preferences and therapeutic needs while maintaining relative simplicity through a single multi-functional device rather than requiring multiple specialized connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
A single connector design serves multiple functions by accommodating different patient interface orientations and configurations. The rotatable joints allow the same connector to be used for neonatal, pediatric, and adult interfaces, as well as for various therapeutic modes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized connectors.
3Ease of operation
If the patient interface is positioned far from the inspiratory and expiratory conduits, then ease of connection is improved, but dead space increases leading to gas rebreathing
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable joints allow the patient interface to be positioned optimally close to the inspiratory and expiratory conduits while maintaining ease of connection. The flexible angular adjustment enables minimal dead space configuration without compromising connection accessibility for users.
Data Source
AI summary
Connectors for respiratory assistance systems are disclosed. The connectors include an inspiratory conduit port, an expiratory conduit port, a first interface port, a second interface port, and a body or body portion formed between the inspiratory conduit port, the expiratory conduit port and the first and second interface ports, the body or body portion defining an interior cavity that fluidly couples, at least in part, the inspiratory conduit port and the expiratory conduit port to the first and second interface ports. The first and second interface ports are each fluidly couplable to a patient interface. Preferably, the first interface port is adapted to be coupled to an adult patient interface and the second interface port is adapted to be coupled to a pediatric or neonatal patient interface.