Aerosol Generator Synchronization for Ventilator Circuit Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol-ventilator systems have low medicament delivery efficiencies, often below 20%, due to aerosol condensation and inefficient aerosol distribution, leading to inaccurate dosages and wastage of costly medications, with potential health risks from escaped aerosols.
Innovation Solution
The system synchronizes aerosol generation with the inspiratory phase, uses an 'air chaser' to clear the endotracheal tube, and produces aerosolized medicaments with smaller particle sizes (1-5 µm) for improved delivery, incorporating a nebulizer directly connected to the endotracheal tube and employing phasic delivery methods to optimize aerosol deposition during the breathing cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional jet and ultrasonic nebulizers are used to deliver aerosolized medicament through ventilator circuits, then aerosol generation is achieved, but delivery efficiency drops below 20% due to aerosol condensation on circuit surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the aerosol by producing smaller droplet sizes (mean diameter 1-5 µm) with a narrow size distribution. This parameter change reduces the surface area to volume ratio, minimizing condensation tendency. The controlled aerosol generation with specific droplet size parameters directly addresses the condensation loss problem while maintaining delivery efficiency above 40%.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic aerosol delivery synchronized with the patient's breathing cycle. The aerosol generator operates intermittently during the inspiratory phase rather than continuously, delivering aerosol in pulses that coincide with patient inhalation. This periodic action prevents aerosol accumulation and condensation in the circuit while ensuring efficient delivery during actual inhalation events.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional nebulizers deliver constant aerosol flow, then continuous aerosol generation is maintained, but aerosol lingers and escapes from the circuit when the patient is not inhaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by synchronizing aerosol generation with the patient's inspiratory phase. The aerosol generator is activated only during inhalation events and remains inactive during exhalation, eliminating continuous aerosol flow. This timing synchronization ensures aerosol is present only when the patient needs it, preventing lingering and escape losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from breathing cycle detection to control aerosol generation timing. Sensors monitor the patient's respiratory phase and provide feedback signals to the aerosol generator controller, which adjusts aerosol delivery accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures aerosol is delivered only during inspiratory phases, preventing wastage during exhalation.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional nebulizers produce aerosols with large mean droplet sizes, then aerosol generation is achieved, but aerodynamic qualities are poor making droplets more likely to form condensates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the droplet size parameter from conventional large sizes to small sizes with mean diameter of 1-5 µm. This parameter change is achieved through controlled aerosol generation technology that produces a narrow size distribution. The precise control of droplet size parameter improves aerodynamic qualities and reduces condensation while maintaining adequate aerosol quantity for effective treatment.
4Ease of operation
If aerosol delivery efficiency is low, then medicament can be administered through the system, but dosage accuracy varies with patient breathing pattern fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic aerosol delivery synchronized to the patient's breathing cycle to improve dosage accuracy. By delivering aerosol in pulses during inspiratory phases rather than continuously, the system ensures each breath receives a consistent amount of medicament. This rhythmic synchronization eliminates the variability caused by irregular breathing patterns, providing more precise and repeatable dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback from breathing cycle monitoring to adjust aerosol delivery timing and duration. The controller receives real-time information about inspiratory phase onset and duration, and uses this feedback to precisely time aerosol generation. This ensures each breath receives the intended dose regardless of breathing rate or tidal volume variations, improving dosage accuracy.
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 increases aerosol delivery efficiency to at least 40%, with some configurations achieving up to 70%, ensuring accurate dosing and minimizing medication wastage while reducing exposure risks for healthcare providers and other patients.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional jet and ultrasonic nebulizers normally require 50 to 100 milliseconds to introduce the aerosolized medicament into the circuit. They also tend to produce aerosols with large mean droplet sizes and poor aerodynamic qualities
Implementation Method 2
The system synchronizes aerosol generation with the inspiratory phase, uses an 'air chaser' to clear the endotracheal tube, and produces aerosolized medicaments with smaller particle sizes (1-5 µm) for improved delivery
Implementation Method 3
The ventilator circuits typically force the aerosol to travel through a number of valves, conduits, and filters before reaching the patient's mouth or nose, and all the surfaces and obstacles provide a lot of opportunity for aerosol particles to condense back into the liquid phase
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A method of treating a patient with a pulmonary disease, where the method includes delivering a dose of aerosolized medicament intermittently to a ventilator circuit coupled to the respiratory system of the patient. Also, a method of treating a patient with a pulmonary disease, where the method includes taking the patient off a ventilator, and administering to the patient, a nebulized aerosol comprising from about 100 μg to about 500 mg of a medicament. Additionally, an aerosolized medicament for the treatment of a pulmonary disease, where the medicament includes amikacin mixed with an aqueous solution having an adjusted pH from about 5.5 to about 6.3. The pH is adjusted by adding hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide to the aqueous solution.