Spirometer Mouthpiece Sterilizing Cover with UV Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sterilizing devices for spirometer mouthpieces do not effectively integrate ultraviolet light emitters to sterilize the mouthpiece between uses, leaving users susceptible to respiratory infections.

Innovation Solution

A spirometer with a mouthpiece and a cover made of fluid-impermeable material, integrated with a sterilizing unit that emits ultraviolet radiation when activated, ensuring the mouthpiece is sterilized between uses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover is added around the mouthpiece to protect from contamination, then protection from contamination is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the protective cover and sterilizing unit into a single integrated assembly. The UV light emitters are embedded within the cover structure itself, merging two separate functions (protection and sterilization) into one unified device that reduces overall system complexity while providing both benefits simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective barrier against contamination during transport and storage, and simultaneously houses the sterilizing unit with UV light emitters that can actively disinfect the mouthpiece. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate protective and sterilizing devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If ultraviolet light emitters are integrated into the cover, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sterilizing unit with UV light emitters is pre-integrated into the cover during manufacturing, so that the sterilization capability is already prepared and positioned correctly before the device reaches the user. This preliminary integration ensures reliable sterilization functionality while streamlining the final assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary structure that houses the UV light emitters and positions them optimally around the mouthpiece. This intermediary design allows the sterilization function to be integrated without directly modifying the mouthpiece or spirometer body, simplifying manufacturing by using the existing cover as the integration platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cover is made fluid impermeable to protect the mouthpiece, then contamination protection is improved, but breathability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidbreathability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional zones: the cover provides fluid-impermeable protection during storage and transport, while the spirometer mouthpiece remains accessible and breathable during actual use. This segmentation allows the fluid-impermeable property to protect against contamination without interfering with the breathability required during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover alternates between two states: closed and fluid-impermeable during storage/transport to protect from contamination, and open/removed during use to allow breathability. This periodic switching between protective and breathable states resolves the contradiction by ensuring both requirements are met at appropriate times in the device lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 integration of ultraviolet light emitters into the spirometer's cover effectively sterilizes the mouthpiece, reducing the risk of respiratory infections and maintaining hygiene between uses.

Implementation Method 1

The sterilizing unit emits ultraviolet radiation when the sterilizing unit is turned on to kill microbes on the mouthpiece to sterilize the mouthpiece between uses.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS12274801B2Spirometer sterilizing assembly

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 AUGUSTIN DELCINA

AI summary

A spirometer sterilizing assembly for sterilizing a mouthpiece of a spirometer includes a spirometer that has a mouthpiece which can be placed in a user's mouth. A cover is positionable around the mouthpiece and the cover is comprised of a fluid impermeable material to protect the mouthpiece from contamination when the cover is positioned around the mouthpiece. A sterilizing unit is provided and the sterilizing unit is integrated into the cover. The sterilizing unit emits ultraviolet radiation when the sterilizing unit is turned on to kill microbes on the mouthpiece to sterilize the mouthpiece between uses.