Suction Pressure Relief Valve for Safe Airway Vacuum Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical suction systems often apply excessive negative pressure, leading to mucosal damage, bleeding, infection, and ventilator-associated complications due to improper setup and lack of passive safety mechanisms, exposing patients to unregulated vacuum pressures.

Innovation Solution

A one-way pressure relief valve (PRV) device, 'Safe Suction', which passively adjusts pressure levels to prevent excessive suction by opening at predetermined pressures (e.g., 150 mmHg for adults, 130 mmHg for pediatrics, and 100 mmHg for neonates), and includes an override system for emergency situations, ensuring safe and controlled vacuum pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If higher negative pressure is applied to increase suction effectiveness, then the ability to clear airway and remove secretions is improved, but the risk of mucosal damage and patient complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction effectivenessVSAvoidmucosal damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by implementing a pressure relief valve that automatically regulates the negative pressure parameter within a safe range (-80 to -120 mmHg). The valve maintains optimal suction effectiveness while preventing harmful pressure excursions that could cause mucosal damage, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and patient safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief valve functions as a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors and adjusts the negative pressure in the suction system. When pressure exceeds the predetermined safe range, the valve automatically releases excess pressure, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains suction effectiveness while preventing tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If vacuum pressure is increased to improve fluid removal speed, then the flow rate is improved, but the risk of lung collapse and ventilator complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid removal speedVSAvoidpatient safety

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve changes the pressure parameter by maintaining it within clinically safe limits (-80 to -120 mmHg). This ensures adequate fluid removal speed while preventing harmful effects such as lung collapse and ventilator-associated complications that occur at higher pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief valve provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-configured to release pressure at predetermined safe thresholds. This preventive mechanism cushions the system against pressure excursions before they can cause patient harm, ensuring reliable and safe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual pressure regulation is used to control suction levels, then flexibility in adjusting pressure is improved, but the risk of improper setup and unregulated pressure spikes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidpressure control safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve applies self-service by automatically regulating pressure without requiring continuous manual intervention. The valve is pre-configured with predetermined release pressures and autonomously maintains safe operating conditions, eliminating the reliability issues associated with manual regulation while preserving clinical flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated pressure relief valve implements feedback control by continuously monitoring system pressure and automatically releasing pressure when thresholds are exceeded. This creates a self-regulating system that combines the flexibility of adjustable pressure settings with the safety of automated protection against unregulated pressure spikes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 PRV device significantly reduces the risk of mucosal damage and ventilator-related complications by maintaining clinically acceptable negative pressures, providing passive safety and enhanced control during suction procedures, thus protecting patients from unintended pressure spikes.

Implementation Method 1

A one-way pressure relief valve (PRV) device, 'Safe Suction,' which passively adjusts pressure levels to prevent excessive suction by opening at predetermined pressures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11712553B2Patient safe suction pressure relief valve and method of using the valve

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 PEPPER MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A medical suctioning, pressure relief valve having a housing having a central fluid passage way, a first suction tubing connector configured to connect suction tubing to the central fluid passage way, a second suction tubing connector configured to connect suction tubing to the central fluid passage way, and a one-way internal pressure relief valve configured to allow ambient air into the central passage way when a set negative pressure is reached within the central passage. A method of suctioning a fluid from a patient using the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.