Active Noise Control for Breathing Assistance Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical ventilators and CPAP devices generate undesirable noise during operation, which can disrupt users and operators, particularly at night, due to motor sounds and airflow noise variations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an active noise control system that detects variable noise sources and generates noise leveling sounds with varying loudness inversely proportional to the noise produced by the ventilator, maintaining a relatively constant overall noise level over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the gas delivery system operates at high speed or high pressure to deliver breathing gas, then the productivity and effectiveness of ventilation is improved, but the noise generated by the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful variable noise into a beneficial controlled output by generating inverse noise signals that cancel out the variations. The noise detection system captures the variable noise from gas delivery, and the noise control system processes this to create counteracting sounds that reduce the perceived noise variations, effectively transforming the harmful noise into a controlled acoustic environment.
2Measurement precision
If motors and other components are used to deliver and control breathing gas, then the functionality and control precision are improved, but continuous noise such as humming, buzzing, or whining is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary noise control system that acts as a mediator between the motor components and the acoustic environment. The noise detection system monitors the continuous noise from motors, and the noise control system generates compensating sounds through speakers, effectively mediating the interaction between mechanical components and acoustic perception to reduce the harmful continuous noise.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the loudness of noise from the gas delivery system varies over time, then the system can adapt to different breathing requirements, but the perceived noise becomes undesirable and disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the noise detection system continuously monitors the variable noise from the gas delivery system, and this information is fed back to the noise control system. The noise control system processes this feedback and dynamically adjusts the noise leveling sounds in real-time, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing breathing requirements while maintaining consistent perceived noise levels.
4Stability of the object's composition
If active noise control sounds are generated to reduce noise variations, then the perceived noise consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating the noise control capabilities into the existing breathing assistance system architecture. The noise detection system can utilize existing microphones or sensors, and the noise control system processes signals through the same processing units that control ventilation parameters, allowing the noise control function to share hardware and software resources with the primary ventilation function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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
This approach effectively reduces noise variations, providing a more consistent and quieter operating environment for patients and operators by dynamically adjusting noise levels to counteract the noise generated by ventilator components.
Implementation Method 1
an active noise control system configured to generate and output noise leveling sounds to reduce variations in the perceived noise from the breathing assistance system over time
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing assistance system having active noise control may include a gas delivery system, a patient interface, a connection system, and a noise control system. The gas delivery system may supply breathing gas to a patient via the connection system and the patient interface. The noise control system may include a processor, a speaker, a reference signal source, and a feedback sensor. The processor may generate noise control signals to be output by the speaker for canceling noise caused by a noise source of the breathing assistance system. The reference signal source may communicate reference signals associated with the noise source. The feedback sensor may detect noise caused by the noise source and noise control signals output by the speaker, and communicate to the processor feedback noise signals based on the detected noise. The processor may generate the noise control signals based at least on the reference signals and the feedback noise signals.