Breathing Apparatus Graphical Interface Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Breathing apparatuses are challenging to control intuitively, leading to potential incorrect settings that can negatively impact patient safety, especially in anesthesia, due to complex and time-consuming adjustment processes.

Innovation Solution

A breathing apparatus with a graphical user interface and control unit that displays values on axes, allowing users to set input values by selecting portions of the interface, reducing the risk of incorrect settings through intuitive control and visual feedback, including sub-areas for preferred and non-preferred operational settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional control interfaces with multiple separate controls are used, then precise control of individual parameters is achievable, but the complexity of operation increases and intuitive control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitive controlVSAvoidcontrol interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent control parameters (first input value and second input value) into a single graphical area where both parameters can be adjusted simultaneously through one selection action, rather than requiring separate controls for each parameter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the control interface from a one-dimensional linear arrangement of separate controls to a two-dimensional graphical area where the position within the area simultaneously encodes both input values, adding a spatial dimension to the control mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple separate controls are used for adjusting parameters, then individual parameter control is precise, but the time required for adjustment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment speedVSAvoidtime for parameter adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the adjustment of multiple parameters into a single graphical selection operation, allowing the user to set both the first and second input values simultaneously through one interaction rather than sequentially adjusting each parameter separately

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical interface pre-organizes the relationship between parameters in visual space, allowing users to directly select desired parameter combinations without needing to understand the complex interrelationships between parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If complex control interfaces are used to provide comprehensive control options, then functionality is enhanced, but the risk of incorrect settings increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting accuracyVSAvoidcontrol interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The graphical user interface provides visual feedback by displaying the relationship between the first and second input values in the graphical area, allowing users to see the effect of their selections and confirm correct settings before applying them

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses different sub-areas within the graphical area to visually distinguish between preferred and non-preferred operational settings, helping users avoid incorrect configurations through visual cues rather than complex warnings or restrictions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3592410B1Breathing apparatus and computer program for controlling a breathing apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 MAQUET CRITICAL CARE
  • EP3592410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3592410B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3592410B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Herein a breathing apparatus (1) is disclosed comprising a control unit (7) configured to control operation of the breathing apparatus (1) based on at least a first input value (VI) and a second input value (V2). The breathing apparatus (1) comprises a graphical user interface (9) connected to the control unit (7). The control unit (7) is configured to display a visual output (11) on the graphical user interface (9) comprising an area (13) defined by a first axis (Al) and a second axis (A2). The breathing apparatus (1) further comprises an input unit (9.1) configured to provide selection of a portion (15) of the area (13). The control unit (7) is configured to set the first input value (VI) in response to the position of the selected portion (15) relative the first axis (Al), and to set the second input value (V2) in response to the position of the selected portion (15) relative the second axis (A2). The present disclosure further relates to a method (100) of control ling operation of a breathing apparatus (1), a computer program and a computer program product (200) for performing a method (100) of controlling operation of a breathing apparatus (1).