Breath-Synchronized High Flow Respiratory Therapy Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high flow respiratory therapy devices fail to synchronize gas flow with the patient's inhalation and exhalation, leading to increased dead space and respiratory effort, particularly in patients with decreased respiratory capacity.

Innovation Solution

A high flow respiratory therapy device that detects inspiratory and expiratory effort points through breath synchronization, adjusting gas flow rates accordingly to reduce dead space and respiratory effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a constant high flow of mixed gas is supplied to the patient using conventional high flow respiratory therapy device, then the dead space is reduced during inhalation, but the patient's expiratory effort is burdened due to increased air resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedead space reductionVSAvoidexpiratory effort burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant flow to variable flow delivery. The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate of mixed gas based on the patient's respiratory phase: high flow during inhalation to reduce dead space, and reduced flow during exhalation to minimize air resistance. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between dead space reduction and expiratory effort burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by synchronizing gas flow delivery with the patient's respiratory cycle. The system delivers high flow during the inhalation phase and reduces flow during the exhalation phase, creating a periodic flow pattern that aligns with natural breathing. This periodic modulation allows dead space reduction during inhalation while minimizing expiratory resistance during exhalation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If conventional high flow respiratory therapy device delivers mixed gas at the same flow rate regardless of inhalation and exhalation time points, then the device operation is simple, but it cannot reduce the burden on the patient's inspiratory effort or expiratory effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice operation simplicityVSAvoidrespiratory effort burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using sensors to detect the patient's respiratory phase (inhalation or exhalation) and using this information to adjust the gas flow rate. The system continuously monitors respiratory effort and flow characteristics, then modulates the delivered flow accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to reduce respiratory effort burden while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If high flow nasal delivery is used during exhalation, then the dead space is reduced, but air resistance increases compared to spontaneous respiration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedead space reductionVSAvoidair resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by delivering high flow only during the inhalation phase when dead space reduction is beneficial, and reducing flow during the exhalation phase when high flow would increase air resistance. This periodic modulation synchronized with the respiratory cycle allows the system to achieve dead space reduction without imposing excessive air resistance during exhalation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4268870B1High flow respiratory therapy device through breath synchronization
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 MEK
  • EP4268870B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4268870B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4268870B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device enabling high flow respiratory therapy through breath synchronization. A high flow respiratory therapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a breathing pattern monitoring part for monitoring a flow rate change and a pressure change of a mixed gas supplied to a patient so as to collect breathing pattern information of the patient; an inspiratory effort point detection part for detecting an inspiratory effort point, at which the patient tries to start inhalation, from the breathing pattern information of the patient; an expiratory effort point detection part for detecting an expiratory effort point, at which the patient tries to start exhalation, from the breathing pattern information of the patient; and a supply flow rate control part for increasing the flow rate of the supplied mixed gas when the breath of the patient reaches the inspiratory effort point, and for reducing the flow rate of the supplied mixed gas when the breath of the patient reaches the expiratory effort point.