Bioelectric Signal Leakage Detection in Ventilation Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ventilation systems face challenges in accurately detecting leakage and abnormal resistance, particularly during non-invasive ventilation of pediatric patients, as existing methods require specific sensor setups and struggle to determine when leakage occurs within the breathing cycle, affecting the effectiveness of ventilatory treatment.

Innovation Solution

The method utilizes bioelectric signals, such as the Edi signal, indicative of a patient's respiratory effort to detect leakage or abnormal resistance, allowing for detection without relying on pressure and flow measurements, and adjusts ventilatory assist levels to assess changes in respiratory drive, enabling quick and accurate identification of system issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flow and pressure measurements are used to detect leakage, then leakage detection capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates during NIV ventilation of paediatric patients where leakage and flow resistance are considerable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage detection capabilityVSAvoidleakage measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical measurement system (flow and pressure sensors) with a bioelectric signal-based detection system. Specifically, it uses the Edi signal (electrical activity of the diaphragm) to detect leakage and abnormal resistance, substituting direct physical measurements with a physiological signal that reflects the patient's respiratory drive in response to ventilatory changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the Edi signal as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect leakage. Instead of measuring leakage directly through flow and pressure sensors, the system measures the patient's respiratory drive (Edi signal) as an intermediate response to controlled changes in ventilatory assist, from which leakage conditions are inferred.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If both inspiratory and expiratory flows and pressures are measured to detect leakage, then leakage detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to required sensor setup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage detection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor setup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the requirement for complex sensor setups (flow and pressure sensors) by using only the Edi signal for leakage detection. This removes the need for multiple sensors and their associated wiring, signal processing, and calibration, simplifying the device while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The Edi signal, originally used for controlling ventilation in NAVA mode, is repurposed to also detect leakage and abnormal resistance. This multi-functional use of a single existing signal eliminates the need for dedicated leakage detection sensors, reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If flow and pressure measurements are used to estimate leakage, then leakage information is obtained, but ability to determine timing of leakage within breathing cycle is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage information availabilityVSAvoidleakage timing information

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback from the Edi signal, which naturally synchronizes with the patient's breathing cycle, to determine both the presence and timing of leakage. The Edi signal's phase relationship with the breathing cycle provides temporal information about when leakage occurs, eliminating the timing information loss that occurs with flow and pressure measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If known leakage detection methods are applied, then leakage detection is possible, but adaptability deteriorates because they require specific sensor configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The Edi signal serves multiple functions: it controls ventilation in NAVA mode and simultaneously detects leakage and abnormal resistance. This universal application across different ventilation modes and patient populations (including paediatric NIV) provides high adaptability without requiring specific sensor configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12257386B2System for detection of leakage or abnormal resistance in a ventilation system

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 MAQUET CRITICAL CARE

AI summary

A system is for detection of leakage or abnormal resistance in a ventilation system. The ventilation system includes a breathing apparatus which provides a mechanical ventilation to a patient. The system includes a bioelectric sensor arrangement detecting a bioelectric signal indicative of the patient's effort to breathe and a control computer configured to receive the bioelectric signal detected by the bioelectric sensor arrangement. The control computer is further configured to determine a change in the bioelectric signal and to establish leakage or abnormal resistance in the ventilation system based on the change in the bioelectric signal.