Ventilation Air Distributor for Oscillating Mucus Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ventilation devices cannot effectively manage mucus accumulation in the lungs of patients who require artificial ventilation, as existing airway therapy devices require independent breathing and the use of foreign objects, posing a risk of infection or respiratory arrest.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a respiratory therapy device within the ventilation system that generates intermittent air pressure fluctuations, allowing for the loosening and removal of mucus without the need for foreign objects or disconnecting the patient from the ventilator, using a curved tube with a freely movable hose and a valve to control air flow for oscillating pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a respiratory therapy device is inserted into the breathing tube to generate oscillating air pressure fluctuations for mucus removal, then the effectiveness of mucus loosening and transport is improved, but the risk of infection and respiratory arrest increases due to the introduction of foreign objects and potential disconnection from ventilation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ventilation function and respiratory therapy function into a single integrated system. The oscillating air pressure generation is achieved by modifying the existing ventilation device's air distributor, eliminating the need for separate foreign objects. The ventilation hose itself is configured to generate oscillations through its connection to the air distributor, merging both functions into one unified apparatus that reduces infection risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both continuous ventilation and oscillating air pressure therapy through its air distributor mechanism. The air distributor serves dual purposes by directing breathable air to patients while also generating therapeutic oscillations, making the system versatile and eliminating the need for separate specialized devices.
2Reliability
If existing airway therapy devices are used for mucus removal, then the expectorant effect is improved through oscillating air pressure, but the device complexity and operational requirements increase due to the need for independent breathing capability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the patient's independent breathing to generate oscillations (as in conventional PEP/OPEP devices), this invention inverts the approach by using the ventilation system itself to generate the oscillating air pressure. The air distributor actively creates the oscillations that would normally result from patient breathing efforts, enabling therapy for patients who cannot breathe independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system serves itself by using its own air flow and air distributor mechanism to generate the oscillating air pressure needed for mucus removal. The system does not require external specialized devices or patient participation to create the therapeutic oscillations, as the ventilation process itself produces the necessary pressure fluctuations through its design.
3Reliability
If surgical or external measures are used to remove mucus from non-breathing patients, then the mucus evacuation is achieved, but the procedure time and risk of respiratory arrest increase due to disconnection from ventilator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous mucus removal therapy to occur simultaneously with ongoing ventilation without any interruption. The oscillating air pressure generation is integrated into the continuous ventilation flow, allowing the useful action of both ventilation and mucus evacuation to proceed continuously without disconnection or procedural breaks, eliminating time loss and maintaining constant patient support.
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
Enables effective mucus loosening and removal in patients on mechanical ventilation, reducing the risk of infection and respiratory complications by creating oscillating air pressure that dissolves and expels mucus without interrupting the ventilation process.
Implementation Method 1
The ventilator associated with the ventilator device generates an intermittent air flow
Implementation Method 2
an intermittent air pressure fluctuation occurs in the respiratory therapy device, and to pass on the air pressure fluctuations generated in this way to the bronchial and lung area of the living being
Implementation Method 3
Due to the vibrations of the two hoses during the inhalation and exhalation process, the mucus particles stored in the lungs or pharynx are loosened
Implementation Method 4
generate a positive and negative ventilation pressure, through which the mucus deposited in the lungs is loosened and removed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
In a ventilation device (1) consisting of: - a ventilator (2) with an air outlet (3) and an air inlet channel (4), - two tubes (5, 6) connected to one of the two channels (3, 4) of the ventilator (2), - an air distributor (7) with three openings (8, 9, 10) connected to one of the two tubes (5, 6) of the ventilator (2) and to a tube (11) that can be inserted into the mouth or nasal cavity (22) of a living being (21), the mucus located in the lung area (23) is to be loosened and removed without the need for foreign objects or switching off the ventilation device (1).This is achieved by inserting a respiratory therapy device (31) into the inhalation tube (5), by generating an airflow (12) through the ventilator (2) which creates a permanent air pressure fluctuation with the respiratory therapy device (31), and by transmitting the air pressure fluctuations thus generated in the lung area (23) of the living being (21).