Ventilation Adapter Relocating Exhalation Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical ventilation systems burden patients with the weight and bulk of exhalation valve assemblies, potentially causing discomfort and tissue damage, and require flow sensors near the mouthpiece, which complicates ventilation and increases weight.
Innovation Solution
An adapter system for connecting a ventilation hose to a ventilator, featuring an inhalation conduit, an exhalation conduit with a flow sensor, and means for controlling positive end-expiration pressure, which reduces the weight and bulk at the patient's mouth by guiding exhalation gases away and using the inhalation gas supply for PEEP control, allowing for a coaxial hose configuration that integrates both conduits into a single hose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the exhalation valve assembly is attached to the mask or endotracheal tube at the patient side, then the PEEP control and exhalation flow measurement functions are integrated, but the weight and bulk create patient discomfort and can lead to tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the exhalation valve assembly from the patient side and relocates it to the ventilator side. The adapter connects the inhalation conduit to the ventilator while the exhalation conduit routes exhaled gases away from the patient, removing the heavy valve assembly and flow sensor from the patient interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ventilation system into separate inhalation and exhalation pathways. The adapter comprises distinct inhalation conduit and exhalation conduit components, allowing independent routing and control of each gas flow path, with the exhalation valve assembly positioned at the ventilator side rather than integrated at the patient side.
2Measurement precision
If the flow sensor is positioned near the mouthpiece to measure exhalation flow, then accurate flow measurement is achieved, but the weight and complexity increase at the patient side
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor is extracted from the patient-side interface and relocated to the ventilator side within the exhalation valve assembly. The adapter routes exhalation gases through the exhalation conduit to the ventilator where the flow sensor measures the flow, eliminating the need for a flow sensor at the patient side.
3Manufacturing precision
If a separate connection for PEEP control is provided, then precise PEEP control is achieved, but the device complexity and number of connections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inhalation gas supply is given dual functionality: it provides inhalation gas to the patient through the inhalation conduit and simultaneously provides pressure control for the exhalation valve assembly to maintain PEEP. This eliminates the need for a separate PEEP control connection while maintaining precise PEEP control through the adapter's internal pressure control means.
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 adapter system enhances patient comfort and safety by reducing the weight and bulk of ventilation components near the patient, allowing for efficient connection and disconnection, and eliminates the need for flow sensors near the mouthpiece, while maintaining effective PEEP control.
Implementation Method 1
the adapter exhalation conduit comprises a flow sensor for providing a signal representing a flow of fluid arriving via the first end of the adapter exhalation conduit
Implementation Method 2
means for closing the second end for providing a positive end expiration pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter (600) for connecting a ventilation hose (624) to a ventilator is described. The ventilation hose (624) comprises at least a hose inhalation conduit (628). The adapter comprises an adapter inhalation conduit (630) having a first end (602) arranged for connection to the hose inhalation conduit (628) of the ventilation hose (624) and a second end (606) arranged for connection to an inhalation gas supply of the ventilator. An adapter exhalation conduit (622) is provided having a first end (604) arranged for connection to a hose exhalation conduit (626) and a second end (608) openable to atmosphere. Means (638) are provided for closing the second end for providing a positive end expiration pressure. A flow sensor (616) is provided for generating a signal representing a flow of fluid arriving via the first end (604) of the adapter exhalation conduit (622).