Upper-Lip Gas Collector for Accurate Nasal and Oral Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas collectors for monitoring exhaled gases during procedures like procedural sedation or general anesthesia face challenges due to interference from provided gas flow, especially with high flow rates, and variability in exhalation pathways affecting sampling accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A gas collector with an interface forming channels at the patient's upper lip, incorporating spacers and a gas flow diverter to direct exhaled gases to separate nasal and oral inlets, ensuring consistent sampling regardless of breathing pathway variability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high gas flow rates are provided to the patient, then adequate oxygenation and CO2 removal are achieved, but the provided gas flow taints the sampling results by diluting exhaled CO2 and enhancing end tidal O2
Solution Approach 1:
The gas collector is divided into separate nasal and oral collection chambers, allowing independent sampling from different exhalation pathways. This segmentation enables the system to distinguish between nasal and oral exhaled gases, preventing contamination from the high flow gas delivery system while maintaining accurate sampling from each pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas collector acts as an intermediary device between the high flow gas delivery system and the monitoring system. By collecting exhaled gases in separate chambers before analysis, it mediates the interaction between the harmful high flow gas and the sampling process, preventing direct contamination while still allowing accurate measurement.
2Ease of operation
If a non-sealing patient interface is used for NHF, then ease of application and patient comfort are improved, but gas flow interference with sampling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into separate nasal and oral collection regions, allowing the non-sealing NHF system to maintain ease of application while the segmented chambers prevent gas flow interference during sampling. Each chamber can be independently managed to ensure accurate measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the gas collector have different functions: the nasal region collects exhaled gases from the nose while the oral region collects from the mouth. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain the simplicity of non-sealing interface while ensuring precise local sampling without cross-contamination.
3Measurement precision
If the gas collector is positioned close to the patient's face, then sampling accuracy is improved, but the channel wall portion may contact the patient's face causing discomfort or interference
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer component is introduced as an intermediary between the gas collector's channel wall and the patient's face. The spacer maintains a consistent gap that prevents direct contact while still allowing the channel to effectively collect exhaled gases. This intermediary element resolves the conflict between proximity for accurate sampling and distance to prevent discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer modifies the physical parameter of distance between the channel wall and patient's face, maintaining an optimal gap that prevents contact while preserving sampling effectiveness. This parameter adjustment allows the gas collector to be positioned close enough for accuracy without causing interference.
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 enables accurate and consistent collection of exhaled gases, minimizing interference from provided gas flow and maintaining sampling accuracy across different breathing patterns.
Implementation Method 1
the interface includes one or more spacers configured to contact the patient's face so as to space a channel wall portion from the patient's face
Implementation Method 2
the channel being in fluid communication with the patient's nose and mouth regions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a gas collector for collecting gases at a patient. The gas collector may include an interface configured to form at least one channel at an upper lip of the patient. The channel may be in fluid communication with the patient's nose and mouth regions. The interface may include one or more spacers configured to contact the patient's face so as to space a channel wall portion from the patient's face.