CLIENT: Respironics (2007)

PROJECT:Humidity Tank Entrainment Valve

Respironics developed this medical device to aid sleep apnea patients, but shortly after its introduction a problem arose that forced Respironics to halt production. The problem plaguing the medical device was that, during transit, water from the humidity reservoir was found to be leaking into its internals and damaging its electronics. They needed a quick engineering solution and hired us to help.

To solve the problem, our engineers developed 3D CAD models of a magnetic entrainment valve added to the airway inside the device. The design of our valve utilized a stainless steel strip insert molded into a plastic shutter over-molded with a rubber gasket. We were able to utilize our in house rapid prototyping capabilities to quickly prototype the complex parts within one week. With prototypes in hand, our engineers then tested multiple versions to empirically solve the water containment issue without impeding on the cross sectional airway of the device allowing equal performance with the valve present.

The result for Respironics was an efficient engineering solution that solved their problems, made minimal tooling changes and quickly got their production on line again.

Our contributions to this project included research, 2-D and 3-D design development, 3D CAD modeling, prototyping, and engineering.

>> See another example of medical equipment we've designed and engineered.
>> Learn more about our product engineering consulting services.