Segmented Gas Delivery System for Unobstructed Patient Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxygen delivery devices for patients with inadequate oxygen levels are invasive, obstruct normal speech, eating, and drinking functions, and can exacerbate claustrophobia and distress, especially during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A gas delivery system with perforated hollow conduits supported by a flexible bridge on either side of the face, allowing directed oxygen flow to the nose and mouth while enabling normal eating and drinking, and incorporating features like louvers and a baffle to reduce noise and turbulence, ensuring comfortable and efficient oxygen delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional oxygen delivery devices (masks, face tents, cannulas) are used to provide oxygen to patients, then oxygen delivery is achieved, but the patient's normal speech, eating, and drinking functions are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the oxygen delivery function into two separate bodies positioned on opposite sides of the patient's face, with gas delivery conduits directing oxygen to specific areas (nostrils and mouth) without blocking the entire oral cavity, thereby maintaining normal speech and eating functions while providing reliable oxygen delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The gas delivery conduits deliver oxygen locally to specific areas (nostrils and mouth) rather than covering the entire face, allowing oxygen supplementation where needed while leaving other areas open for normal functions like speech and eating
2Reliability
If traditional oxygen delivery devices are used, then oxygen delivery is achieved, but patient discomfort and claustrophobia are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into two separate bodies positioned on the sides of the face rather than a single covering structure, the design reduces the feeling of enclosure and claustrophobia while maintaining effective oxygen delivery to the required areas
Solution Approach 2:
The design extracts the oxygen delivery function from a face-covering structure and implements it through side-mounted conduits that deliver gas directly to the nostrils and mouth area, eliminating the need for a covering structure that causes discomfort and claustrophobia
3Reliability
If traditional oxygen delivery devices are used, then oxygen delivery is achieved, but noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a baffle and louver system that converts the potentially harmful turbulent flow and noise into beneficial laminar flow patterns, directing oxygen smoothly toward the patient's airway while reducing noise generation
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 system allows for safe and comfortable oxygen delivery during medical procedures, reducing noise and discomfort, while maintaining access to the mouth and airway, and improving wearer safety by minimizing rebreathing of carbon dioxide.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of first openings in the first body to create a bolus of gas about the nostrils of the nose and the mouth
Data Source
AI summary
A gas delivery system, for providing gas to a wearer, includes a first body having a first cavity. The first body is supportable to a side of a nose and mouth of the wearer. A first adapter receives gas from a gas supply and provide the gas to the first cavity. A plurality of first openings in the first body to create a bolus of gas about the nostrils of the nose and the mouth. The first body, and a second similar body may be supported by an adjustable bridge on opposite sides of the nose and mouth of the wearer.