Bi-Level Breathing Therapy Pressure Transition Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Bi-Level PAP machines have abrupt transitions between inspiratory and expiratory pressures, causing discomfort to patients, and existing solutions for smoothing these transitions lack flexibility in customizing the pressure curve.
Innovation Solution
The use of third-order polynomial calculations to generate customizable transition profiles between inhalation and exhalation phases, allowing for settable parameters to adjust the start and end points of these profiles based on previous breathing cycles, enabling more comfortable and effective pressure delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If abrupt transitions between IPAP and EPAP pressures are used, then the device complexity is reduced and operation is simpler, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by anticipating the start of inhalation and exhalation phases based on measured cycle lengths from previous breathing cycles. The pressure profile transitions are initiated before the actual phase detection occurs, allowing smooth pressure changes to be prepared in advance. This is implemented by calculating expected phase transition points and starting the polynomial-based pressure profiles at these anticipated times, rather than waiting for abrupt phase detection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pre-defined pressure contours are used, then patient comfort is improved, but the ability to customize the pressure curve shape is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the pressure profile characteristics adjustable and adaptable rather than fixed. The system allows modification of key parameters including the polynomial order (e.g., third-order), transition duration, and the percentage of the breathing cycle at which transitions occur. This enables the pressure curve shape to be dynamically customized for different patient needs while maintaining smooth transitions for comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing therapists to modify specific parameters of the pressure profile including the mathematical order of the polynomial used to generate the curve, the duration of transitions, and the timing relative to breathing phases. These parameter adjustments enable customization of the pressure curve shape without requiring pre-defined fixed contours, providing versatility while maintaining patient comfort through smooth transitions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure transitions are smoothed using rounding factors, then patient comfort is improved, but flexibility in customizing the pressure curve shape is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rounding approach with a mathematical polynomial-based system. Instead of applying a rounding factor to a square wave pressure profile, the system uses polynomial equations (e.g., third-order polynomials) to generate smooth pressure transitions directly. This substitution provides both the smoothing effect for patient comfort and the flexibility to customize curve shapes by adjusting polynomial parameters and coefficients.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the transitions between two different pressures supplied by a breathing therapy device using a transition pressure profile for which the basic shape, the magnitude and the duration may be controlled by a user of the device or the user's therapist.