Ventilation Air-Path Thermal Disinfection Without Chemical Residues

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disinfection methods for ventilation therapy devices leave residues and pose safety hazards, require complex operations, and fail to effectively disinfect the gas channel from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, risking germ contamination and potential disease transmission.

Innovation Solution

A disinfection apparatus comprising a first power unit, heating unit, and gas transfer unit that generates high-temperature disinfecting gas to thoroughly disinfect the gas channel, leaving no residues and ensuring safety with easy operation and low cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing disinfection methods (ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide plasma, ultraviolet light, etc.) are used to sterilize the external surfaces and water tank of the ventilation therapy device, then the external components are disinfected, but the gas channel from the gas inlet to the gas outlet cannot be effectively disinfected, leaving a risk of germ contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidgerm contamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses gas flow (pneumatics) to transport the disinfectant through the entire gas channel of the ventilation device. The disinfectant is carried by pressurized gas from the gas inlet through the gas passage to the gas outlet, ensuring complete coverage of the gas channel system which cannot be achieved by surface disinfection methods alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a gas channel as an intermediary medium to deliver the disinfectant throughout the entire gas passage system. This intermediary gas channel allows the disinfectant to reach all internal surfaces of the gas pathway, including areas inaccessible to external disinfection methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If existing disinfection methods are used, then disinfection is performed, but residues remain after disinfection requiring professional tests, complicated operations, cumbersome procedures, high costs, and potential safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisinfection capabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical disinfection systems with a simpler thermal field-based disinfection method. Instead of using chemical disinfectants that require handling, testing, and safety procedures, the system uses heated air flow to achieve disinfection through temperature alone, eliminating residues and simplifying operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of the gas from ambient temperature to high temperature to achieve disinfection. By heating the gas to a sufficient temperature before passing it through the gas channel, the system achieves effective disinfection without chemical residues, eliminating the need for complex testing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If existing disinfection methods with chemical agents are used, then disinfection is achieved, but residues are left in the device requiring professional tests before reuse

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisinfection effectVSAvoiddisinfection residues
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical disinfection mechanisms with a thermal field mechanism. Instead of using chemical agents that leave residues, the system uses heated air to achieve disinfection through thermal effects alone, ensuring no harmful residues remain in the gas channel after the disinfection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Comprehensive disinfection of the gas channel in ventilation therapy devices, eliminating germ risks and ensuring patient safety with residue-free and efficient disinfection.

Implementation Method 1

the heating unit (320) is arranged between the first power unit (310) and the gas transfer unit (330) to heat the gas to form a high-temperature disinfecting gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the first power unit (310) is configured to supply a gas to the gas transfer unit (330)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4238602B1Ventilation therapy device
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 BMC MEDICAL CO LTD
  • EP4238602B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4238602B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4238602B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A ventilation therapy device, comprising: a main machine (100), the main machine (100) being used for producing a therapeutic gas, and the main machine (100) comprising a main machine air inlet (111) and a main machine air outlet (112); and a disinfection apparatus (300), the disinfection apparatus (300) being used for producing a high-temperature disinfecting gas, the disinfection apparatus (300) being communicated with the main machine air inlet (111) or the main machine air outlet (112) so as to introduce the high-temperature disinfecting gas into the main machine (100).By providing the disinfection apparatus (300) communicated with the main machine (100), the ventilation therapy device can perform all-around disinfection on the entire air passage of the main machine (100) by means of the high-temperature disinfecting gas produced by the disinfection apparatus (300), the disinfection is dead-corner-free, residue-free, high in safety, and low in cost, so that the problem of a risk of a germ presenting inside the ventilation therapy device when the ventilation therapy device is used by a patient can be thoroughly solved.