Ventilator Protective Cover with Sealed Interfaces for NRBC Decontamination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Medical ventilators used in contaminated NRBC environments are typically discarded due to the difficulty in effective decontamination, leading to wastage of functional equipment.

Innovation Solution

A protective cover for medical ventilators featuring sealable connection interfaces with internal gas passages, non-return valves, and a detachable design that allows for the use of air purification devices, enabling the ventilator to be reused by preventing contaminated air ingress and facilitating decontamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a medical ventilator is used in a contaminated NRBC environment, then the patient can receive emergency treatment, but the ventilator becomes contaminated and must be discarded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to treat patient in contaminated environmentVSAvoidloss of functional equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two segments: a protective cover that can be discarded and a ventilator that can be reused. The cover includes a peripheral casing defining an internal compartment that accommodates the ventilator, creating a separable protective barrier against contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A protective cover acts as an intermediary between the contaminated environment and the ventilator. The cover includes connection interfaces that allow fluid connection of patient circuit and air purification device, enabling the ventilator to function while remaining protected from contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the ventilator is protected with a sealed cover, then contamination is prevented, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from contaminationVSAvoidcomplexity of protective cover system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover serves multiple functions: it provides a sealed enclosure to prevent contamination, incorporates connection interfaces for patient circuit and air purification device, and includes opening/closing means for access. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral casing of the protective cover can be made from flexible materials such as flexible polymer sheets or thin-walled rigid polymer, providing effective sealing and protection while maintaining simplicity in construction and ease of disposal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If connection interfaces are sealed, then contaminated air ingress is prevented, but the ease of operation for connecting devices is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of contaminated air ingressVSAvoidease of connecting devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection interfaces incorporate dynamic sealing mechanisms such as non-return valves that are normally closed to prevent contaminated air ingress but automatically open when the inlet/outlet is connected. This dynamic behavior maintains both sealing reliability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The non-return valves in the connection interfaces automatically open when connected to a patient circuit or air purification device, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates the sealing state based on connection status

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 the safe and effective use of medical ventilators in contaminated environments, preventing contamination and allowing for subsequent reuse, thus reducing equipment wastage and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sealing device arranged in at least one internal gas passage is a non-return valve; each non-return valve is normally closed to prevent contaminated air from entering the internal gas passage in which said non-return valve is arranged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-return valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 2

the peripheral casing comprises a plurality of connection interfaces sealably attached to said peripheral casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

an air purification device, typically a filtration device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11771857B2Protective cover for a medical ventilator that can be used in a contaminated environment of the NRBC type

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 AIR LIQUIDE MEDICAL

AI summary

The invention relates to a protective cover (1) for a medical ventilator (20) adapted for use in a contaminated environment, in particular an NRBC environment, having a peripheral casing (2) defining an internal compartment (3) designed to accommodate a medical ventilator (20). The peripheral casing (2) has a plurality of connection interfaces (4, 5, 6, 7) sealably attached to said peripheral casing (2). Each connection interface (4, 5, 6, 7) has at least one internal gas passage with at least one gas inlet and at least one gas outlet. A sealing device is arranged in the internal gas passage of at least one connection interface (4, 5, 6, 7) for sealing said internal gas passage.