Breathing Control Conduit with Segmented Flow Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic methods for managing sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are complex, costly, inefficient, and fail to reliably maintain target blood CO2 levels, often requiring supplemental oxygen and not adapting to varying respiratory needs, leading to unstable respiratory patterns and long-term organ damage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a respiratory conduit with multiple air flow control devices and dead space volumes to control CO2 levels in arterial blood, adjusting airflow and valve sizes based on patient-specific parameters to match CO2 excretion with production, thereby stabilizing breathing patterns and improving oxygenation without supplemental oxygen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current therapeutic methods are used to manage sleep-disordered breathing, then treatment is provided, but the methods are complex, costly, and fail to reliably maintain target blood CO2 levels
Solution Approach 1:
The respiratory conduit is divided into multiple segments with distinct functions: a first segment with a first flow control device for controlling inspiratory flow, and a second segment with a second flow control device for controlling expiratory flow. This segmentation allows independent control of inspiration and expiration, enabling reliable CO2 level maintenance through simplified, targeted adjustments rather than complex system-wide changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control devices are designed to dynamically adjust airflow rates based on patient respiratory patterns and CO2 levels. The system adapts to varying respiratory needs by modifying flow resistance in real-time, providing reliable CO2 maintenance without requiring complex mechanical structures or multiple adjustable components.
2Productivity
If current therapeutic methods are used, then breathing is treated, but they are inefficient and require supplemental oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where CO2 level measurements inform adjustments to the flow control devices. By continuously monitoring arterial CO2 levels and adjusting inspiratory and expiratory flow rates accordingly, the system efficiently maintains target CO2 levels without requiring supplemental oxygen, thereby improving productivity while reducing substance consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current therapeutic methods are used, then treatment is provided, but they do not adapt to varying respiratory needs, leading to unstable respiratory patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control devices are designed to dynamically respond to changing respiratory requirements. By adjusting flow resistance based on real-time respiratory patterns and CO2 levels, the system adapts to varying needs while maintaining stable respiratory patterns, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback loop continuously monitors respiratory parameters and CO2 levels, automatically adjusting the flow control devices to adapt to varying respiratory needs. This closed-loop control ensures both adaptability to changing conditions and stability of respiratory patterns by preventing excessive variations.
4Reliability
If multiple flow control devices are used to control CO2 levels, then CO2 levels are maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The respiratory conduit is segmented into distinct functional zones with dedicated flow control devices. This segmentation provides reliable CO2 control through localized, independent adjustments rather than requiring a single complex control mechanism, thereby maintaining reliability while managing complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
Each flow control device is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling flow rate, adjusting respiratory resistance, and influencing CO2 retention. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, maintaining reliable CO2 control without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling breathing of a patient. A mixing device extends from a patient interface to control a volume of exhaled gasses. The mixing device has a first orifice connected to and in fluid communication with a first control tube and terminating in a first variable flow control valve and a second orifice connected to and in fluid communication with a second control tube and terminating in a second variable flow control valve. Further a first volume extends between the first and second orifices. A controller then controls the volume of exhaled gasses from the patient using the first and second variable flow control valves.