Disposable Vapor Transfer Unit for Humidification System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory tract therapy devices face challenges in reducing bacterial contamination, particularly in clinical and hospital settings, due to the risk of bacterial growth associated with water and water vapor contact.
Innovation Solution
A humidification system comprising a base unit and a vapor transfer unit, where the vapor transfer unit is designed for easy replacement and reuse, with the base unit remaining dry to minimize contamination risks, and includes sensors and heating elements to ensure effective humidification and heating of breathing gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the base unit is designed to be reusable and cost-effective, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the risk of bacterial contamination increases due to repeated contact with water
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate units: a reusable base unit and a disposable vapor transfer unit. The base unit contains electronic components and controls, while the vapor transfer unit contains the liquid pathway and heating elements that contact water. This segmentation allows the base unit to be reused while the vapor transfer unit is discarded after use, eliminating bacterial contamination risk in the reusable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The vapor transfer unit is designed as a disposable component that is inexpensive to manufacture and replace. It contains all parts that contact water (liquid pathway, heating element, vapor transfer device), making it suitable for single-use. After use, it is discarded rather than cleaned and reused, eliminating the need for disinfection protocols while maintaining cost-effectiveness at the system level.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vapor transfer unit is designed for easy replacement, then bacterial contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate units: a reusable base unit and a disposable vapor transfer unit. The base unit contains electronic components and controls, while the vapor transfer unit contains the liquid pathway and heating elements that contact water. This segmentation allows the base unit to be reused while the vapor transfer unit is discarded after use, eliminating bacterial contamination risk in the reusable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed with universal interfaces and mounting mechanisms that accommodate the vapor transfer unit. The base unit performs multiple functions including housing electronic controls, providing power, and interfacing with the disposable unit through standardized connections, thereby managing complexity centrally while enabling easy replacement of the vapor transfer unit.
3Reliability
If sensors and heating elements are integrated into the vapor transfer unit, then humidification effectiveness is improved, but the risk of bacterial growth in liquid pathways increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor transfer unit is designed as a disposable component that is inexpensive to manufacture and replace. It contains all parts that contact water (liquid pathway, heating element, vapor transfer device), making it suitable for single-use. After use, it is discarded rather than cleaned and reused, eliminating the need for disinfection protocols while maintaining cost-effectiveness at the system level.
Solution Approach 2:
All components that contact water or water vapor (liquid pathway, heating element, vapor transfer device) are extracted from the reusable base unit and placed in the disposable vapor transfer unit. This extraction isolates the bacterial growth risk to a single-use component, allowing the base unit with its sensors and controls to remain contamination-free and reusable.
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
This design reduces the risk of bacterial contamination by allowing for the selective disposal and reuse of the vapor transfer unit, maintaining the base unit's dryness, and ensuring consistent delivery of heated and humidified breathing gases, thereby enhancing safety and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage
Implementation Method 2
a first heater portion positioned to heat liquid in the liquid passage
Implementation Method 3
a second heater portion adapted to conduct heat to the first heater portion to heat liquid in the liquid passage
Implementation Method 4
a first pump portion positioned to advance liquid through the liquid passage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.