Variable Respiratory Restrictor Slider for Adjustable Inspiratory Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapy devices for patients with mucus hyper-secretion and retention lack the ability to adjust inspiratory resistance, leading to either excessive or insufficient resistance for individual patients, which can hinder effective mucus clearance.
Innovation Solution
A variable restrictor is integrated into the inhalation path of the respiratory therapy assembly, allowing users to adjust the inhalation flow resistance using a slider, providing a customizable resistance that complements the existing expiratory oscillatory positive pressure therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed resistance is provided in existing respiratory therapy devices, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot be adjusted to individual patient needs leading to either excessive or insufficient resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a movable slider that can be adjusted along a guide surface to vary the restriction aperture size. This transforms the fixed resistance structure into a dynamic, adjustable one, allowing the resistance to inhalation flow to be customized for individual patient needs while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable restrictor with slider is added to provide adjustable inspiratory resistance, then adaptability to individual patients is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the variable restrictor into distinct functional components: a housing, a slider, a guide surface, and aperture formations. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the adjustable resistance mechanism easier to manufacture, assemble, and maintain while providing the needed customization capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If slider position is adjusted to vary restriction aperture, then inspiratory resistance can be customized, but ease of operation may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by enabling the patient to directly adjust the slider position themselves based on their own breathing needs. The straightforward slider-along-guide-surface mechanism allows users to independently customize their resistance without requiring complex controls or assistance, empowering them to self-regulate their therapy.
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 solution enables personalized resistance adjustment, maximizing shear forces to effectively clear mucus from the lungs by allowing users to tailor inspiratory resistance according to their lung compliance and resistance, thereby enhancing mucus clearance.
Implementation Method 1
The aperture 113 supports an expiratory non-return valve 114, such as a flexible flap valve, which allows air to flow from the restrictor R into the therapy device 20 but prevents any substantial flow in the opposite direction
Implementation Method 2
This aperture 115 is covered by an inspiratory non-return valve 116, such as a flexible flap valve, that allows air to be drawn through the aperture into the mouthpiece 110 but substantially prevents air flow in the opposite direction
Implementation Method 3
The restrictor R also includes a slider 117 in the form of a generally rectangular plate extending laterally of the housing 100 through a slot 118 in its left-hand end so that the left-hand end 119 of the slider projects from the housing and its right-hand end 120 extends within the housing across the bore of the inspiratory aperture 115
Implementation Method 4
The air flow tube 6 has an outlet opening 10 with a non-linear profile that is opened and closed by a conical valve element 11 mounted on a rocker arm 12 pivoted midway along its length about a transverse axis
Implementation Method 5
The far end of the rocker arm 12 carries an iron pin 13 that interacts with the magnetic field produced by a permanent magnet (not visible) mounted on an adjustable support frame 14
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
An expiratory respiratory therapy assembly includes a therapy device (20) that provides an oscillating resistance to expiratory flow. A variable restrictor R is connected to the breathing inlet (7) of the therapy device. The restrictor R includes a manually-displaceable slider (117) that is movable to cover varying proportions of an inspiratory aperture (115) in the restrictor so as to provide a variable resistance to inspiratory flow.