Automated Ventilation System with Closed-Loop Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial ventilation systems for CPAP breathing helmets require frequent manual checks by medical personnel, lacking fully automatic and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
An automated artificial ventilation system with a control method that uses a control unit to manage oxygen and carbon dioxide flow, oxygen concentration, and patient biometrics, employing a Venturi principle-based gas supply system and ultraviolet sterilization, allowing for closed-loop and predictive control strategies to maintain patient safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual control processes are used for regulating respirator flows, then the system can be operated with simple control mechanisms, but frequent checks by medical personnel are required and constant operator presence is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic control of the ventilation system through sensors that continuously monitor patient biometrics (respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate) and feed this information back to a control unit. The control unit automatically adjusts oxygen and CO2 flow rates based on real-time patient conditions, eliminating the need for frequent manual checks while maintaining appropriate system complexity through integrated sensor-controller-actuator loops.
2Productivity
If fully automatic control is implemented, then frequent medical supervision is reduced, but the system requires sophisticated control algorithms and continuous monitoring capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system performs self-regulation by automatically monitoring its own operation and adjusting flows based on sensor feedback. The control unit continuously optimizes oxygen and CO2 delivery without external intervention, enabling the system to maintain optimal patient ventilation autonomously. This self-service capability improves operational efficiency while the complexity is managed through integrated design where sensors, control algorithms, and actuators work as a unified system.
3Reliability
If manual flow regulation is used, then the system structure remains simple, but patient safety requires constant operator presence and frequent checks
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors patient oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and other biometric parameters through sensors, feeding this data back to the control unit which automatically adjusts ventilation flows. This closed-loop feedback ensures patient safety is maintained autonomously, eliminating the need for constant operator presence while the system proactively detects and corrects any deviations from safe operating parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic control system operates continuously without interruption, maintaining optimal ventilation flows around the clock. Sensors continuously monitor patient conditions and the control unit continuously adjusts flows, ensuring uninterrupted patient safety monitoring and regulation. This continuous automated action eliminates the need for periodic manual checks and reduces time loss for medical supervision.
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
Enables fully automated operation of the ventilation system, reducing the need for constant medical supervision, ensuring patient safety by maintaining optimal oxygen saturation and CO2 levels, and optimizing oxygen consumption and patient comfort through advanced control algorithms.
Implementation Method 1
the supply is achieved thanks to a suitable suction means which, in the example of figure 1, is an ejector 5 which works by applying the known Venturi principle
Implementation Method 2
The plenum 6 can be provided with a light device 11 with ultraviolet radiation which guarantees the sterilization of the air / oxygen mixture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Artificial ventilation system (100, 200) having: - a respiratory helmet (13), - suction means (5, 25) which draw the air from the external environment, - a tank (1) for containing pressurized oxygen, - a first control valve (2) which regulates the mixing of air/oxygen, -a second control valve (4) which regulates the flow rate of the air/oxygen mixture, - a plenum (6) for containing the mixture of air and oxygen leaving the suction means (5), - a supply duct (14) which allows the air/oxygen mixture to reach the respiratory helmet (13), - a first non-return valve (9) which prevents the backflow of the air/oxygen mixture from the supply duct (14), - an exhaust duct (15) for the air/C02 mixture whose flow rate is regulated by a third control valve (8), - a filter element (7) of the air/C02 mixture in fluid communication with the plenum (6), and - a control unit (12) to control at least oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide concentration inside the respiratory helmet (13); wherein: - the supply duct (14) and the exhaust duct (15) are integrated in the first casing (16) which connects to a second casing (17) inside the respiratory helmet (13), - wherein inside the first casing (16) and the second casing (17) the two flows remain separated by means of a separation septum (20), and - the second casing (17) comprises a first plurality of holes (17') which allows the air/oxygen mixture to flow inside the respiratory helmet (13) and a second plurality of holes (17") for the entry of the exhausted C02-rich air into the second casing (17).