Ventilation Delivery Adaptor Oxygen Mixing and Backflow Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventilator systems for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients face challenges in delivering supplemental low-pressure oxygen and adequate humidification, with existing solutions experiencing issues such as poor oxygen mixing, continuous oxygen delivery when the flow generator is not working, and insufficient humidification leading to patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A tubing arrangement with a delivery adaptor and Y-connector system that allows for the selective detachment of a quad-lumen tube from bi-lumen tubes, enabling the integration of an external oxygen source or humidification system, ensuring oxygen or water is bled into the air stream before the mask in a high turbulence area for effective mixing, thus preventing backflow and ensuring proper humidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If supplemental oxygen is delivered through the mask frame connection ports, then oxygen can be provided to the patient, but oxygen mixing is poor and oxygen continues to deliver even when the flow generator is not working
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the adapter assembly with T-connector and flow regulator) between the oxygen source and the patient interface. This intermediary allows controlled oxygen delivery through the patient circuit, enabling proper mixing with the pressurized breathable gas while preventing uncontrolled continuous delivery. The flow regulator acts as a mediator to control oxygen flow rate, and the T-connector serves as an intermediary junction point in the gas flow path.
2Quantity of substance
If a third small lumen is short-circuited with the main lumen at the Y-connection, then oxygen can be delivered to the third lumen, but oxygen may backflow into the flow generator during exhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the patient circuit into separate functional zones using the adapter assembly with T-connector. The oxygen delivery path is segmented from the main breathable gas flow path, with the T-connector creating distinct flow zones. This segmentation allows oxygen to be delivered through the third lumen while preventing backflow into the flow generator by isolating the oxygen source from the exhalation path.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly serves as an intermediary device between the oxygen source and the patient circuit. The T-connector acts as a mediator that allows oxygen flow into the patient circuit while preventing reverse flow into the flow generator. The flow regulator also serves as an intermediary control mechanism that manages oxygen flow direction and prevents backflow.
3Ease of operation
If humidification is not provided in the patient circuit, then the system remains simple, but the patient's respiratory tract becomes dry and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a connection interface for supplemental oxygen delivery and as a potential interface for humidification system integration. The T-connector and flow regulator combination provides a universal solution that can handle both oxygen supplementation and humidification needs through the same basic architecture, adding functionality without requiring completely separate systems.
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 effectively delivers supplemental oxygen and humidification to the patient, preventing oxygen backflow into the flow generator and ensuring the respiratory tract remains comfortable by maintaining appropriate humidity and temperature levels, enhancing patient therapy outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring oxygen or water is bled into the air stream before the mask in a high turbulence area for effective mixing
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided is provided a tubing arrangement and associated connectors, including a delivery adaptor and a Y-connector, which may be used to facilitate the operative interface of a patient interface to a ventilator within a ventilation system. The delivery adaptor is connected between the outlet connector of the flow generator and the main delivery tube (i.e., the quad-lumen tube) in the ventilation system. The delivery adaptor functions to retain the pneumatic isolation of a sense line of the ventilation system from certain other lumens of the quad-lumen tube, and further connects one of the small lumens of the quad-lumen tube to an external oxygen source or an external humidification source. The oxygen or humidification is delivered to such lumen through the adaptor. The oxygen or humidification is then bled into the air stream at the outlet of such lumen which is at the Y-connector.