Ventilator Shut-Off Valve With Locked Overpressure Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements for ventilators lack operational reliability, particularly in situations requiring automatic pressure relief and secure separation of fluid connections to prevent unintended fluid communication between patients and the environment, which can lead to lung damage or collapse.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement with a shut-off unit that automatically moves from a closed to an open position when a preset pressure limit is exceeded at the patient-side port, featuring a locking unit that prevents unintended opening and a pressure-responsive mechanism for safe pressure relief, integrated within a fluid carrying system connecting the ventilator and patient-side coupling unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure relief valve is used to automatically open in overpressure situations, then pressure relief function is improved, but operational reliability deteriorates due to unintended opening or failure to open
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is engaged in advance to prevent the shut-off unit from opening unintentionally. The locking unit only releases when a predetermined condition (overpressure) is met, ensuring the shut-off unit remains securely closed until needed. This preliminary locking action eliminates the harmful factor of unintended opening while preserving the pressure relief function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the shut-off unit and the overpressure condition. It mediates by preventing direct interaction between normal pressure fluctuations and the shut-off unit, while allowing the shut-off unit to open only when the locking unit releases due to genuine overpressure. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by filtering out false triggers.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shut-off unit is locked in closed position to prevent unintended opening, then safety is improved, but pressure relief function deteriorates when actual overpressure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit applies a preliminary counter-action by engaging to prevent opening. However, this locking mechanism includes a release condition designed to counteract the locking force when overpressure occurs. The predetermined condition for releasing the locking unit ensures that the shut-off unit can open reliably when actual overpressure is detected, thus preventing lung damage while maintaining pressure relief reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the locking unit based on pressure conditions. Under normal conditions, the locking unit is engaged with high holding force. When overpressure occurs, the pressure parameter changes to exceed the locking force threshold, causing the locking unit to release and allowing the shut-off unit to open. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction between secure locking and reliable pressure relief.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shut-off unit remains closed during patient separation, then fluid connection safety is improved, but pressure buildup deteriorates during patient coughing or exhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is preliminarily engaged to maintain the shut-off unit in the closed position during patient separation, preventing unintended fluid connections. The locking mechanism is designed with a pressure threshold that allows it to remain engaged under normal separation conditions but release when pressure exceeds the threshold during coughing or exhalation, thus preventing pressure buildup while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking unit serves as an intermediary that filters between normal pressure variations during separation and pathological pressure spikes during coughing. It maintains closure during routine separation activities while allowing opening during genuine overpressure events, resolving the contradiction between safety and pressure management.
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
Enhances operational reliability by automatically relieving pressure and preventing lung damage during coughing or exhalation, maintaining residual air pressure to prevent lung collapse, and reducing the risk of unintended fluid connections, thus improving patient safety and ventilator efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
When the shut-off unit (7) is in the closed position and, in addition, a pressure above a preset pressure limit is present at the patient-side port (3), the valve arrangement (1) moves the shut-off unit (7) automatically against a locking effect of the locking unit (10) into the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A valve arrangement (1) for a fluid carrying system (18, 21). This fluid-carrying system (18, 21) is capable of establishing a fluid connection between a patient-side coupling unit (26, 27) and a ventilator (17). In an open position a shut-off unit (7) connects a patient-side port (3) to a device-side port (4) of the valve arrangement (1) and closes this fluid connection in a closed position. A locking unit is capable of locking the shut-off unit in both the open position and the closed position. When the shut-off unit is in the closed position and, in addition, a pressure above a preset pressure limit is present at the patient-side port, the shut-off unit is moved into the open position automatically and against a locking effect of the locking unit. A process for operating a ventilation system (2) with the ventilator and the valve arrangement is also provided.