Ventilation Hood With Integrated Valve And Filter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing assisted ventilation interfaces, such as hoods and nasal cannulas, face issues with leakage, viral transmittance, inefficient air delivery, and inability to provide multiple air pressures or sources, leading to discomfort and wastage of oxygenated supply.

Innovation Solution

The development of improved patient interfaces featuring a hood with an integrated free-breathing valve and viral filter, an internal pressure gauge, and dual air sources, which minimize leakage and viral transmittance while providing a more directed and efficient air delivery system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hood is used to deliver air to the patient, then patient comfort is improved and seal reliability is enhanced, but the risk of viral transmittance increases and air delivery efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal reliabilityVSAvoidviral transmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust port is segmented into multiple separate ports, each equipped with its own viral filter. This segmentation allows independent filtration of exhaust air streams and prevents viral transmittance while maintaining the sealed hood environment. The free-breathing valve is also separated from the main exhaust path and given its own dedicated viral filter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Viral filters are introduced as intermediary components between the hood interior and the external environment. These filters act as mediators that allow air to pass through while blocking viral particles, thus preventing viral transmittance while maintaining the functionality of the hood system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a hood with large free air volume is used, then patient comfort is improved, but air delivery efficiency deteriorates due to excessive air wastage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal reliabilityVSAvoidair wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the hood are provided with different air delivery characteristics. Directed air delivery systems are implemented to target specific areas where the patient needs air, rather than uniformly distributing air throughout the entire hood volume. This reduces the amount of air that circulates uselessly in the large free volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The air delivery system is made dynamic by providing multiple adjustable air sources and flow rates. The system can adapt air delivery to match actual patient needs in real-time, reducing wastage of oxygenated supply while maintaining adequate ventilation throughout the hood.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single air source is used in the hood, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to provide multiple air pressures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair source configurationVSAvoidair pressure delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hood system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple air sources that can serve different purposes. Each air source can be independently controlled to provide different pressures and flow rates, allowing the system to adapt to various patient needs and clinical scenarios while maintaining a unified hood structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the risk of leakage and viral transmittance, enhances air delivery efficiency, and allows for multiple air pressures and sources, improving patient comfort and oxygen utilization.

Implementation Method 1

at least one viral filter integral to the at least one free-breathing valve located in series with the at least one free-breathing valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

configured to automatically open to the environment or enclosure external to the hood in the event that the hood pressure falls below a pre-determined level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20230201501A1Improvements to an assisted ventilation interface

Publication Date: 2023.06.29 SOUTHMED LTD

AI summary

Described herein are improved assisted ventilation interfaces along with methods and uses thereof. The interfaces comprises a hood embodiment with altered design aspects to decrease or even avoid the risk of leakage and potential viral transmittance along with providing other benefits. In one aspect, the patient interface comprises a hood with a free-breathing valve and an integral viral filter. The free-breathing valve and viral filter may be separate to or integral to the exhaust port. In a further embodiment multiple branches may be used from the exhaust port with multiple viral filters. In a further embodiment, an internal pressure gauge may be used. In a further embodiment dual air sources may be used.