Ventilator Transition Adapter Parallel Gas Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aerosol delivery systems in ventilators face challenges in minimizing drug loss and turbulence, leading to inefficient delivery of aerosolized active agents to patients during mechanical ventilation.

Innovation Solution

A transition adapter is designed with a housing that receives aerosol from an aerosol generator and incorporates a carrier gas connection port, where the carrier gas is introduced in parallel to the aerosol flow, creating a less turbulent pattern by dividing the gas into multiple streams that encircle and flow in parallel with the aerosol, minimizing impaction and drug loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If aerosol is delivered through a single carrier gas stream, then the delivery structure is simple, but turbulence and drug loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier gas stream structureVSAvoiddrug loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier gas flow is divided into multiple separate streams (at least two) that independently encircle the aerosol flow. Each stream is introduced through separate channels and exits through multiple outlet ports arranged around the aerosol passage, segmenting the single gas flow into multiple controlled streams that reduce turbulence and minimize drug loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If carrier gas flows perpendicular to aerosol flow, then mixing is efficient, but impaction and drug loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoiddrug loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier gas streams are directed to encircle the aerosol flow in a longitudinal dimension rather than mixing perpendicular to it. The gas streams flow parallel to the aerosol direction while surrounding it, creating a three-dimensional encirclement pattern that maintains mixing efficiency while minimizing impaction losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If heated sheath gas is used to carry aerosol, then aerosol transport is improved, but aerosol impaction on surfaces occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol transportVSAvoidaerosol impaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heated carrier gas is segmented into multiple streams that independently encircle the aerosol flow rather than forming a single large flow. This segmentation reduces the velocity and kinetic energy of individual gas streams, minimizing impaction forces on the aerosol particles and reducing deposition on adapter surfaces while maintaining effective transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of substance

If multiple carrier gas streams encircle aerosol in parallel, then turbulence and drug loss are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug lossVSAvoidtransition adapter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate gas channels and outlet ports are merged into a unified encirclement structure where the carrier gas streams work together as an integrated system. The housing design combines multiple flow paths into a coordinated pattern that achieves the beneficial effects of multiple streams while presenting a compact, integrated adapter assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 results in a more efficient delivery of aerosolized drugs by reducing turbulence and impaction, ensuring a higher concentration of the active agent reaches the patient, thereby improving the efficacy of respiratory therapy.

Implementation Method 1

the streams of carrier gas are directed to at least partially encircle and flow in parallel with a main direction of a flow of the aerosol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

The inner cavity has a conical inner wall that extends outward to an inner wall of a distal portion of the inner cavity, the plurality of carrier gas exit ports being located on the conical inner wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConical geometry flow direction: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2887984B1Ventilator aerosol delivery system

Publication Date: 2020.07.29 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

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Figure 5A~5D
Figure 6A~6C

AI summary

A transition adapter (100) component of a ventilator aerosol delivery system for delivering an aerosol to a patient, includes a housing (110) having a proximal end (120) and a distal end (130), the proximal end (120) having an aerosol passage (140) for receiving an aerosol (234) produced by a heated capillary (232) and a gas connection port (150) for receiving carrier gas (316) from a ventilator (300), which is in communication with a plurality of gas entry ports (154) within the transition adapter (100). An inner cavity (170) of the transition adapter (100) receives the aerosol (234) from the heated capillary (232) and the streams of carrier gas (316) from a plurality of gas exit ports (156) within the transition adapter (100) and directs the streams of carrier gas (316) at least partially encircling and in parallel with the aerosol (234). An exit port (160) on the distal end (130) of the transition adapter housing (110) delivers an entrained aerosol to an aerosol delivery connector.