Breath-Synchronized Flow Sensing for High-Flow Respiratory Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing assistance apparatuses struggle to accurately adjust gas flow based on patient breath cycles, leading to suboptimal therapy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A flow therapy apparatus that adjusts gas flow based on detected breath cycles using sensors to generate a control signal synchronized with patient inhalation and exhalation phases, employing phase-locked loops and feedback mechanisms to optimize motor speed and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas flow is adjusted based on detected breath cycles using sensors and phase-locked loops, then therapy delivery precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by using sensors to detect patient breath cycles and feeding this information back to the control system. The phase-locked loop continuously adjusts the control signal based on the detected breath phase, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves therapy precision while managing complexity through systematic control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical flow adjustment mechanisms with electronic control systems. Instead of using mechanical valves or flow meters to adjust gas flow, the system uses electronic sensors to detect breath cycles and electronic control signals to adjust motor speed, thereby improving precision while reducing mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If control signal is synchronized with breath cycle using phase-locked loops, then therapy effectiveness is improved, but system delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by phase-shifting the control signal to anticipate the patient's breath cycle. Instead of reacting to breath changes after they occur, the system shifts the control signal phase to proactively align with upcoming breath phases, compensating for system delays and improving response timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase-locked loop creates a copied and synchronized version of the patient's breath cycle waveform as the control signal. This copied signal is then phase-adjusted to match the patient's respiratory rhythm, ensuring reliable therapy delivery that mirrors the patient's natural breathing pattern while accounting for system processing delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If motor speed is adjusted based on breath cycle phase, then gas flow matching is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the motor speed continuously variable and adaptive to the patient's breath cycle. Instead of fixed motor speeds, the control system dynamically adjusts motor speed in real-time based on the detected breath phase, allowing the gas flow to adapt to changing respiratory demands while using standard motor control techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves multiple functions: it detects breath cycles, generates phase-locked control signals, adjusts motor speed, and compensates for system delays. By integrating these functions into a single control architecture, the system achieves high gas flow adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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
Enhances therapy delivery by precisely matching gas flow to patient respiratory patterns, improving comfort and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one flow sensor can comprise an ultrasonic sensor assembly
Implementation Method 2
The at least one flow sensor can further comprise a heated temperature sensing element
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and method for conducting respiratory therapy in a respiratory system can adjust a flow of respiratory gases to a patient based upon a detected patient breath cycle. The respiratory system can include a non-sealed patient interface. The respiratory system can be configured to deliver a high flow therapy. A patient breath cycle may be determined using one or more measured parameters, such as a flow rate, a blower motor speed, and/or a system pressure. A flow source may be adjusted to have a phase matching that of the patient's breath cycle, such that flow in increased in response to the patient inhaling, and decreased in response to the patient exhaling.