Actuator Pressure Control for High Flow Oxygen Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical apparatus for high flow oxygen therapy increase the work of breathing for patients due to constant gas flow, leading to exhaustion and high gas consumption, and lack a suitable pressure controller for nasal gas pressure control.
Innovation Solution
A method and device with a pressure controller and computer system that adjusts nasal gas pressure in the actuator, using a tubing system with a nasal cannula, to maintain a constant pre-set pressure, reducing gas consumption and enhancing patient comfort by adaptive gas flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant gas flow is used to supply oxygen to the patient, then the oxygen supply is ensured, but the work of breathing increases leading to patient exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant gas flow to pressure-controlled variable flow. The system dynamically adjusts the gas flow rate based on real-time pressure feedback and patient respiratory demands, allowing the flow to vary between minimum and maximum rates to match patient needs while maintaining therapeutic oxygen delivery and reducing breathing work.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through a closed-loop system that continuously monitors nasal gas pressure and adjusts the gas flow accordingly. The control device receives pressure signals, compares them with target pressure values, and modifies the actuator output to maintain optimal pressure, thereby reducing the work of breathing while ensuring adequate oxygen supply.
2Reliability
If constant gas flow is maintained to ensure oxygen delivery, then oxygen concentration is stable, but gas consumption increases disproportionately
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts gas flow rates based on actual patient demands and pressure conditions. By varying the flow between minimum and maximum rates according to respiratory phase and pressure feedback, the system maintains stable oxygen concentration delivery while minimizing unnecessary gas consumption during periods of lower demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from constant flow to variable flow controlled by pressure thresholds. The system adjusts flow rate as a variable parameter based on pressure conditions, allowing optimal oxygen delivery efficiency while reducing overall gas consumption through parameter optimization rather than fixed high-flow operation.
3Ease of operation
If pressure control is implemented to reduce work of breathing, then patient comfort improves, but device complexity increases due to additional control components
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it monitors pressure, regulates flow, maintains oxygen concentration, and adapts to different patient conditions. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional control system rather than separate dedicated components for each function, the patent reduces overall device complexity while achieving pressure control for patient comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an actuator (22) in a medical apparatus (20), the actuator (22) being connected to a tube system. The medical apparatus (20) comprises: a control apparatus (28) having a pressure controller (35) for controlling a gas pressure; and a computing system (30). The method comprises the following steps: providing a nasal cannula at the tube system; defining a nasal gas end pressure at the pressure controller (35); controlling a nasal gas pressure at the actuator (22) by means of the pressure controller (35), in particular toward the nasal gas end pressure; discharging a conditioned gas from the actuator (22) to the tube system. The invention further relates to a device for operating the actuator (22).