Twist-to-Lock Tracheostoma HME Prevents Accidental Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laryngectomy surgery leads to functional changes in tracheal and lung mucosa due to dry cool air, resulting in increased mucus production, coughing, and chest infections, as existing heat and moisture exchangers do not adequately prevent accidental closure during activities like sleeping and exercising.
Innovation Solution
A twist-to-lock heat and moisture exchanger with a housing, foam filter, and a closure member that includes a locking mechanism to prevent accidental closure, allowing for secure opening during activities while maintaining air filtration and humidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closure member is provided to close the passage, then air filtration and humidification are maintained, but accidental closure may occur during activities like sleeping and exercising
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is engaged in advance to prevent accidental closure before activities begin. The user proactively secures the closure member in the open position using the locking mechanism, ensuring protection is in place before the activity starts, rather than reacting to accidental closure after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-retaining, automatically maintaining the open position without requiring continuous user attention or intervention. Once locked, the mechanism holds the closure member in place autonomously, freeing the user from the burden of constant monitoring during activities.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental closure, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, dedicated mechanism distinct from the closure member itself. This modular approach allows the locking mechanism to be designed independently with optimal simplicity, rather than attempting to integrate locking functionality into the closure member structure, which would increase overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism replaces complex electronic or magnetic locking systems with a simple mechanical solution. The detent and groove interaction provides reliable locking through basic mechanical principles, avoiding the need for motors, sensors, or power sources that would significantly increase device complexity.
3Reliability
If the closure member is made secure to prevent accidental closure, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation when closure is needed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions between two distinct states: locked and unlocked. When locked, it provides strong resistance to prevent accidental closure. When unlocked, it offers minimal resistance to allow easy opening. This dynamic state change allows the system to provide both strong protection and easy operation at different times as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The user periodically engages and disengages the locking mechanism based on activity needs. During activities like sleeping or exercising, the lock is engaged for protection. When closure is needed for speech or other functions, the lock is disengaged. This periodic engagement and disengagement cycle allows the system to alternate between protection and functionality.
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 prevents accidental closure during activities like sleeping and exercising, ensuring continuous air filtration and humidification, thereby reducing mucus production and improving lung function.
Implementation Method 1
A foam filter is disposed in a passage between the first opening and the second opening
Implementation Method 2
Daily use of a heat and moisture exchanger (hereinafter HME) reduces loss of heat and moisture from the tracheal and bronchial mucosa and lungs, and provides the lungs with increased resistance. This warm, humidified and filtered air helps keep the mucosa from drying out
Data Source
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AI summary
A twist to lock heat and moisture exchanging device (10) includes a housing (12) having a first opening (16) that is adapted to open to a tracheostoma and a second opening (18) that opens to ambient. A foam filter (28) is disposed in the housing and a closure member (20) is mounted to the housing and adapted to close a passage between the first opening and the second opening. A locking mechanism (24,32) is engageable to prevent movement of the closure member to close the passage and disengageable to allow movement of the closure member to close the passage. The twist to lock tracheostoma heat and moisture exchanger allows a user to protect from accidental closure during activities when it would be preferred like sleeping and exercising.