Pleated Spirometry Filter Assembly With Snap-Fit Flow Transducer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spirometry filters face challenges in achieving effective filtration of bacteria and viruses while maintaining low air resistance, leading to high manufacturing and logistics costs due to complex assembly processes and large size.
Innovation Solution
A spirometry filter with a casing comprising two parts connected by a snap-fit joint, incorporating a pleated filter sheet and an integral flow transducer, eliminating the need for gluing or ultrasonic welding, and reducing size through integration with the flow transducer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate attachment elements, gluing, or heat sealing are used to assemble spirometry filters, then the filtration ability and structural integrity are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filter sheet and flow transducer into a single integrated assembly where the filter sheet is directly formed as part of the flow transducer structure. This eliminates the need for separate attachment elements, gluing, or heat sealing processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining filtration ability and structural integrity through the integrated design
2Reliability
If spirometry filters are made large in size to meet filtration standards, then the filtration ability is improved, but the storage and transportation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested design where the filter sheet is folded or pleated within the compact flow transducer housing. This allows the filter to maintain sufficient surface area for effective filtration while being contained within a small overall volume, thereby meeting filtration standards without increasing storage and transportation costs
3Reliability
If disposable flow transducers are used to eliminate cleaning and disinfection, then the safety and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the manufacturing and logistics costs increase due to complex assembly and large size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the filter sheet and flow transducer into a single disposable unit, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps involving attachment elements, gluing, or heat sealing. This simplified integrated design reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining safety through disposable use, directly addressing the contradiction between safety and manufacturing ease
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 solution results in a cost-effective, compact, and efficient filter-flow transducer combination that meets spirometry standards, reducing production and logistics costs while ensuring effective filtration and low air resistance.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet part (17) and an outlet part (18) which are connected to each other by means of snap fit joint
Implementation Method 2
filter sheet (16) attached air-tightly inside the casing (11) between the inlet chamber (12) and outlet chamber (13)
Implementation Method 3
flow transducer part that is integral with the filter part and which flow transducer part is based on pressure drop measurement
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a spirometry filter (10), comprising a casing (11) with a wall encapsulating an inlet chamber (12) having inlet opening (13) for receiving the air flow from the patients lungs and an outlet chamber (14) having outlet opening (15) for conducting the air flow to the spirometry flow transducer being connected to the outlet opening (15), and which spirometry filter (10) further comprises filter sheet (16) attached inside the casing (11) between the inlet chamber (12) and outlet chamber (13) air-tightly such that air coming from the input opening flows from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber through the filter sheet and wherein the filter sheet is a pleated filter sheet (16) having at least one pleat (19). In the spirometry filter according to the present invention the casing (11) comprises an inlet part (17) comprising the inlet chamber (12) and an outlet part (18) comprising the outlet chamber (13), and that the inlet part (17) and outlet part (18) are separate parts of the casing (11) being attached air-tightly to each other by means of a snap fit joint (20). The invention relates also to a spirometry filter-flow transducer combination (30).