Airflow Sensor Coupled Impeller for Contamination-Free Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for artificial ventilation, such as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, pose a risk of contamination and provide less oxygen to patients due to the increased carbon dioxide levels in exhaled air from medical personnel.
Innovation Solution
A device with a dual airflow system where a sensor in one portion drives an impeller in another portion, ensuring that clean atmospheric air is delivered to the patient without direct fluid communication between the two paths, minimizing contamination and optimizing oxygen intake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is used to provide artificial ventilation, then ventilation can be provided without specialized equipment, but the risk of contamination increases and oxygen delivery decreases due to carbon dioxide in exhaled air
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the ventilation system into separate functional portions: a first portion for receiving atmospheric air and a second portion for delivering air to the patient. This segmentation prevents contamination by keeping the atmospheric air path separate from the patient interface, while still providing easy-to-use manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary mechanical system (impeller, airflow paths, and coupling mechanism) between the operator and the patient. This intermediary delivers atmospheric air to the patient without direct contact or exhalation from the operator, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.
2Quantity of substance
If mechanical ventilation equipment is used to provide artificial ventilation, then oxygen delivery can be optimized, but the equipment becomes cumbersome and difficult to transport to patients in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts the essential ventilation function from complex hospital equipment and creates a simplified portable version. By removing unnecessary components and retaining only the critical airflow generation and delivery mechanisms, the device achieves optimized oxygen delivery in a transportable form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses the operator's own breath or manual input to drive the impeller through the coupling mechanism, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems. This self-service approach maintains optimized oxygen delivery while keeping the device simple and portable for field use.
3Loss of time
If exhaled air from medical personnel is used for ventilation, then immediate ventilation can be provided, but the patient receives less oxygen due to increased carbon dioxide levels
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured with separate atmospheric air intake paths and impeller mechanisms ready to immediately deliver oxygen-rich air when activated. This preliminary preparation enables instant response time while ensuring the delivered air comes from atmospheric sources with higher oxygen concentration rather than operator exhalations.
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 device effectively reduces the risk of contamination and increases oxygen delivery to patients by using atmospheric air, providing a safer and more efficient means of artificial ventilation.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to sense airflow, the first portion defining a first airflow path; a second portion having a second airflow inlet, an impeller, and an outlet for communicating airflow to a patient, the second portion defining a second airflow path; and means for coupling the first portion and the second portion such that the sensor sensing airflow in the first portion causes corresponding movement of the impeller
Implementation Method 2
an impeller configured to impel air through the second airflow inlet and out of the outlet to the patient, upon movement of the impeller
Implementation Method 3
an expandable bladder configured to expand within the housing in response to airflow from the first airflow inlet filling the expandable bladder
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for delivering air to a patient are provided. A device includes a first portion having a first airflow inlet and a sensor configured to sense airflow, the first portion defining a first airflow path, and a second portion comprising a second airflow inlet, an impeller, and an outlet for communicating airflow to a patient, the second portion defining a second airflow path. The device includes means for coupling the first portion and the second portion, such that the sensor sensing airflow in the first portion causes corresponding movement of the impeller, wherein the impeller is configured to impel air through the second airflow inlet and out of the outlet to the patient, upon movement of the impeller.