I-Corps: A Prototype Design and Market Evaluation of Miniaturized Medical Oxygen Concentrator

该研究小组设计了一种重量轻、便携的小型氧气浓缩器，可以产生90+%的氧气。这项技术是第一个演示空气分离的技术之一，它使用的是一种轻型紧凑型小试设备，能够连续生产1-3个SLPM，氧气含量为90+%。单柱快速变压吸附工艺与产品储罐集成的设计需要最少的仪器设备，并且吸附剂库存不到市场上商用医用氧气浓缩器(MOC)的三分之一。在这个项目中，将使用微型阀门、流量和压力传感器建造一个基于专利新设计概念的原型单元。将开发一种基于微处理器的控制算法来控制循环吸附过程的运行。此外，在设计和建造吸附塔时，将使用铝或塑料为基础的材料来优化装置的重量。MOC设计的小型化是一个非常受欢迎的目标。更紧凑的MOC设计将使数百万患有慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)并需要家庭氧疗的人受益。便携式MOC装置将为这些患者提供更大的灵活性，以锻炼和改善心血管健康。一种新的“卡扣式”设计的小型化MOC系统可以与现有的压缩空气源结合使用，如在医院房间或工业现场，通过消除对专用空气压缩机的需求，可以进一步扩展该产品的应用范围。这项技术的其他潜在应用可能是航空公司和邮轮、军营等的机载供氧。

A light-weight, portable miniaturized oxygen concentrator that can produce 90+ %O2 has been designed by the research team. This technology is one of the first to demonstrate air separation using a light-weight compact bench-scale unite capable of continuously producing 1-3 SLPM of 90+% O2. The design of single column rapid pressure swing adsorption process integrated with a product storage tank requires minimum instrumentation and the adsorbent inventory is less than one third that of commercially available medical oxygen concentrators (MOC) in the market. In this project, a prototype unit based on the patented novel design concept will be built using miniaturized valves, flow and pressure sensors. A micro-processor based control algorithm will be developed for the operation of the cyclic adsorption process. Furthermore, the weight of the unit will be optimized using aluminum or plastic based material for the design and construction of the adsorption column. Miniaturization of a MOC design is a highly sought-after goal. A more compact MOC design will benefit millions of people who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and require home oxygen therapy. A portable MOC unit will provide greater mobility to these patients for exercise and improved cardiovascular health. A new 'Snap On' design of a miniaturized MOC system which can be used in conjunction with an existing compressed air source as in a hospital room or an industrial site can further extend the application of this product by eliminating the need of a dedicated air compressor. Other potential applications of this technology may be on-board oxygen supply in airlines and cruise ships, military camps, etc.