Selective attachment device with multiple fluid sources for maintaining positive fluid pressure
Inventors
DALTON, JEFFREY TRAVIS • Reeves, Kim • BUCHANAN, WILLIAM MACK • MATHESON, LANCE GORDON • Clifford, Jordan Francis • DEAN, TRAVIS ANDREW
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Assignees
Member
Legacy Innovation Inc.COMPANY: Founded in 2012, Legacy Innovation Inc is a lean, nimble, technology & product development company inventing technologies in pressure, temperature, and flow (complex fluid dynamics) with corporate headquarters in Boise Idaho and an R&D office at VelocityTX in San Antonio.
TEAM: Talented and dedicated entrepreneurs, inventors, engineers, and project managers supported by a diverse collaborative network of subject matter experts and teaming partners across multiple disciplines and market sectors. Teaming Partners tend to have their own IP and know-how to complement Legacy’s innovation.
PRIMARY AREAS OF EXPERTISE/COMPETENCIES: Our journey began in the draught beer industry creating award-winning thermoelectric cooling and pressure regulation technologies. During the pandemic, we pivoted those technologies to develop simple, portable, medical device platforms in “bleeding & breathing” specifically designed for prehospital care by EMS / first responders in civilian & military applications, especially effective in austere and remote environments.
FULL-SERVICE CAPABILITIES: End-to-end services include concept development, design, rapid prototyping, and manufacturing that leverages subject matter experts and teaming partner organizations for customer discovery, R&D, implementation, and commercialization. Primary R&D activities occur in-house, or in-house at teaming partner facilities, to expedite development.
MISSION: Create and deliver targeted solutions in pressure, temperature & flow that disrupt the status quo to create new paradigms and industry standards that give our clients massive competitive advantage with little to no competition.
VALUES: 1) Customer Discovery extends far beyond initial investigation to permeate everything we say and do. This delivers maximum value to clients and perpetuates our core technologies. 2) Win/Win Approach ensures that every individual and organization involved in a Legacy project has a definable win other than money to boost engagement and impact. 3) Simple, Elegant, Intuitive Design streamlines commercialization, optimizes user experience, stymies potential competitors, and fast-tracks alternative uses for our technologies.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT: While our technical lane is narrow, applications are infinite across a wide range of market sectors from medical to industrial to entertainment. This fosters efficient growth with the diversity to insulate against downturns in the economy and disruption in any one market sector. Our established technology base, focused patent portfolio, and robust niche know-how demonstrate our proven technical acumen. Our military, government, and commercial contracts validate our capacity to meet rigorous standards and deadlines. Our broad and eclectic network spans multiple disciplines and markets including medical, military, government, industrial, and academic sectors. This arms Legacy with a deep well of unique resources and expertise to draw upon for project success.
NOTABLE CLIENTS: Apple, ITW, Marriott, US Air Force - 59th Medical Wing, US Department of Transportation (SBIR Phase I & II), National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation / Uniformed Services University (Henry Jackson Foundation contract)
COMPANY: Founded in 2012, Legacy Innovation Inc is a lean, nimble, technology & product development company inventing technologies in pressure, temperature, and flow (complex fluid dynamics) with corporate headquarters in Boise Idaho and an R&D office at VelocityTX in San Antonio. TEAM: Talented and dedicated entrepreneurs, inventors, engineers, and project managers supported by a diverse collaborative network of subject matter experts and teaming partners across multiple disciplines and market sectors. Teaming Partners tend to have their own IP and know-how to complement Legacy’s innovation. PRIMARY AREAS OF EXPERTISE/COMPETENCIES: Our journey began in the draught beer industry creating award-winning thermoelectric cooling and pressure regulation technologies. During the pandemic, we pivoted those technologies to develop simple, portable, medical device platforms in “bleeding & breathing” specifically designed for prehospital care by EMS / first responders in civilian & military applications, especially effective in austere and remote environments. FULL-SERVICE CAPABILITIES: End-to-end services include concept development, design, rapid prototyping, and manufacturing that leverages subject matter experts and teaming partner organizations for customer discovery, R&D, implementation, and commercialization. Primary R&D activities occur in-house, or in-house at teaming partner facilities, to expedite development. MISSION: Create and deliver targeted solutions in pressure, temperature & flow that disrupt the status quo to create new paradigms and industry standards that give our clients massive competitive advantage with little to no competition. VALUES: 1) Customer Discovery extends far beyond initial investigation to permeate everything we say and do. This delivers maximum value to clients and perpetuates our core technologies. 2) Win/Win Approach ensures that every individual and organization involved in a Legacy project has a definable win other than money to boost engagement and impact. 3) Simple, Elegant, Intuitive Design streamlines commercialization, optimizes user experience, stymies potential competitors, and fast-tracks alternative uses for our technologies. WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT: While our technical lane is narrow, applications are infinite across a wide range of market sectors from medical to industrial to entertainment. This fosters efficient growth with the diversity to insulate against downturns in the economy and disruption in any one market sector. Our established technology base, focused patent portfolio, and robust niche know-how demonstrate our proven technical acumen. Our military, government, and commercial contracts validate our capacity to meet rigorous standards and deadlines. Our broad and eclectic network spans multiple disciplines and markets including medical, military, government, industrial, and academic sectors. This arms Legacy with a deep well of unique resources and expertise to draw upon for project success. NOTABLE CLIENTS: Apple, ITW, Marriott, US Air Force - 59th Medical Wing, US Department of Transportation (SBIR Phase I & II), National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation / Uniformed Services University (Henry Jackson Foundation contract)
Publication Number
US-12186488-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-07
Expiration Date
2040-05-29
Abstract
There is provided an attachment device for maintaining positive fluid pressure, the attachment device comprising a body having a fluid outlet port and at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports; wherein each of the at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports is connectable to a respective fluid source; wherein each of the at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet port; wherein each of the at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports comprises an attachment device mechanism for selectively starting and stopping a flow of fluid from the respective fluid source to the fluid outlet port, and wherein the attachment device mechanism comprises a valve moveable between an open valve position and a closed valve position. An attachment device, connector, and method of using an apparatus suitable for a ventilator is also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a medical attachment device for maintaining positive fluid pressure, comprising a body having a fluid outlet port and at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports, each connectable to a respective fluid source and in fluid communication with the fluid outlet port. Each fluid inlet port includes an attachment device mechanism with a valve moveable between open and closed positions to selectively start and stop fluid flow from the respective sources to the fluid outlet port.
The background identifies problems in transport ventilation where switching a patient from one oxygen source to another can cause critical interruptions in fluid flow, potentially leading to lung collapse or severe health deterioration. Current ventilators require continuous oxygen flow and electricity, limiting their use in remote or underdeveloped regions, and risking contamination from exhaled droplets.
The invention proposes solutions to these problems by enabling smooth transfer or switching between multiple fluid sources without significant disruption of fluid flow or pressure. The attachment device, connector, and assembly allow selective starting and stopping of flow from each fluid source through valves, preserving positive pressure during transitions. This approach is particularly suited for medical transport ventilation but also envisages applications in non-medical fields requiring maintenance of constant fluid flow during source transitions.
Claims Coverage
The patent discloses several inventive features across independent claims related to a medical attachment device, associated assembly, and method for maintaining continuous positive fluid pressure.
Medical attachment device with multiple positive pressure fluid inlet ports
An attachment device comprising a body with a fluid outlet port and at least two positive pressure fluid inlet ports, each connectable to respective fluid sources and in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. Each fluid inlet includes an attachment device mechanism housed at least partially in an obstructor holder with a fluid access port. The mechanism includes an arm with an obstructor that seals the fluid access port and a circular aperture, the arm moving linearly relative to the fluid access port to selectively start and stop fluid flow.
Selective fluid flow ratio control between multiple fluid sources
The attachment device mechanisms actuate fluid flow from respective fluid sources to the fluid outlet port, enabling control of the ratio of fluid flow between the first and second fluid sources ranging from 100%:0% to 0%:100%, including intermediate ratios such as 90%:10%, 80%:20%, and so forth.
Obstructor and fluid access port linear engagement with anti-rotation features
The arm and fluid access port are linearly engaged, with the arm comprising a hollow tube having one or more fluid passages separated by a partition. Both obstructor holder and arm incorporate anti-rotation internal protrusions and external recesses, respectively, to prevent rotational movement during valve operation.
Additional functional ports connected to fluid outlet port
The attachment device may further include a bronchoscope port and a suction catheter port positioned and fluidly connected to the fluid outlet port to facilitate medical procedures.
Assembly combining attachment device and connector
An assembly including the described attachment device and a connector that connects at least one fluid source to the attachment device, the connector having a housing and a connector mechanism to selectively start and stop fluid flow from fluid sources to the attachment device.
Method for fluid source switching with continuous positive fluid flow
A method for switching between fluid sources supplying a respirator or ventilator comprising steps of providing fluid sources connected to connectors and an attachment device with multiple positive pressure fluid inlet ports, regulating flow via pressure regulators, selectively starting and stopping flow from each source using connector and attachment device mechanisms, maintaining continuous positive fluid flow throughout the switching process.
The claims collectively provide a detailed structure and mechanism enabling selective, smooth switching between multiple fluid sources while maintaining continuous positive fluid pressure to a patient, especially during transport ventilation. The invention encompasses mechanical arrangements for valves, flow ratio control, integrated connectors, assemblies with regulators and ventilators, and corresponding operational methods.
Stated Advantages
Enables transfer or switching between multiple fluid sources without significant disruption of fluid flow or pressure.
Maintains continuous delivery of positive pressure fluid to a patient, avoiding lung collapse during critical transfer seconds.
Supports gradual transition of fluid flow ratios, allowing for precise control and minimizing performance decline.
Provides robust and precise valve mechanisms for accurate start/stop fluid flow control.
Reduces oxygen wastage and operational costs by avoiding continuous oxygen flow.
Suitable for use in remote or less-developed locations lacking continuous oxygen or electricity supply.
Documented Applications
Transport ventilation for patients requiring oxygen supply continuity during transfer between sources, such as ambulance to hospital.
Connection to ventilators or respirators for treating respiratory ailments including COVID-19 infections, ARDS, COPD, allergies, sleep apnea.
Use with endotracheal tubes in intubated patients.
Medical procedures utilizing bronchoscope or suction catheter access through attachment device ports.
Non-medical applications requiring maintenance of constant fluid flow during source switching, such as automotive engine control and nutrient distribution.
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