Ventilation Mask Piloted Exhalation Valve CO2 Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventilation systems for CPAP therapy and critical care ventilation face issues with excessive gas flow, noise, dryness, and discomfort due to the need for continuous venting, leading to high non-compliance rates and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation mask with an integrated piloted exhalation valve that allows patient-expired CO2 to exit without a dual-limb circuit, reducing the required ventilator flow and using smaller tubing, which is more comfortable and discrete, and incorporates a heat and moisture exchanger to minimize humidity loss and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vented circuits with mask vent openings are used to purge CO2, then CO2 removal is achieved, but system complexity and required flow increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the CO2 purging function from the mask vent openings and relocates it to a dedicated exhalation valve positioned in the patient circuit tubing. This separation allows the mask to focus on delivering therapeutic pressure while the exhalation valve handles CO2 removal, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable CO2 purging.
2Reliability
If continuous flow through vent openings is used to purge CO2, then CO2 removal is effective, but noise level increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary exhalation valve in the patient circuit tubing that acts as a controlled discharge point for CO2. This intermediary device allows CO2 to be purged away from the patient's face and mask area, effectively reducing the noise exposure to the patient while maintaining CO2 removal effectiveness.
3Reliability
If additional flow is provided to purge CO2 through vent openings, then CO2 removal is improved, but patient dryness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the CO2 purging function from the mask vent openings and relocates it to a dedicated exhalation valve in the patient circuit. This extraction allows the mask to maintain a sealed configuration that preserves humidity, while the exhalation valve handles CO2 removal through a separate pathway that does not contribute to patient dryness.
4Reliability
If minimum flow through tubing is maintained to flush CO2, then CO2 re-breathing is minimized, but ventilator complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the patient circuit to self-purge CO2 through the exhalation valve positioned in the tubing. The system uses the patient's own exhaled flow to flush CO2 through the exhalation valve, eliminating the need for additional ventilator-generated flow. This self-service approach prevents CO2 re-breathing without increasing ventilator complexity.
5Ease of operation
If smaller tubing is used to reduce bulk, then comfort and discretion are improved, but CO2 flushing capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the CO2 purging function from the mask area and places it in the patient circuit tubing with a dedicated exhalation valve. This allows the use of smaller, more comfortable tubing that is less conspicuous, while the exhalation valve ensures adequate CO2 flushing capability is maintained through the reduced-diameter tubing.
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 reduces the bulk and discomfort of ventilation systems, lowers the risk of CO2 re-breathing, and enhances patient compliance by providing a more comfortable and efficient delivery of therapeutic pressures and humidity management.
Implementation Method 1
incorporates a heat and moisture exchanger to minimize humidity loss and noise
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to various tubing arrangements and an associated Y-connector which may be used to facilitate the operative interface of the mask to a ventilator within a ventilation system. The tubing arrangement may comprise a pair of bi-lumen tubes. One end of each of the bi-lumen tubes is fluidly connected to the mask, with the opposite end being fluidly connected to the Y-connector. The Y-connector is in turn fluidly connected to one end of either a tri-lumen tube or a quad-lumen tube also included in the tubing arrangement, the opposite end of such tri-lumen tube or quad-lumen tube being fluidly connected to the ventilator. The Y-connector is uniquely configured to fluidly connect certain lumens of the tri-lumen tube or the quad-lumen tube to dedicated, corresponding ones of the lumens included in respective ones of the bi-lumen tubes, and to further allow for the selective detachment of the tri-lumen tube or the quad-lumen tube from the bi-lumen tubes.