Breathing Gas Delivery System with Automated Oxygen and Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breathing assistance systems face issues such as inappropriate gas flowrate and oxygen dosage leading to hyperoxia, inaccurate physiological parameter measurement, risk of overhumidity and condensation, and unreliable oxygen saturation measurement, which can prolong hospital stay and compromise patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically adjust the fraction of inspired oxygen and breathing gas flowrate based on measured oxygen saturation and respiratory rate, while ensuring proper humidification and quality assessment of pulse oximeter signals to prevent adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of oxygen dosage and flowrate is performed by clinical staff, then the system is simple to operate, but inappropriate parameters are often used leading to hyperoxia and adverse effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts oxygen dosage and flowrate parameters based on measured physiological data without requiring manual intervention by clinical staff. The control unit autonomously calculates and modifies supply parameters to maintain target oxygen saturation levels, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment while ensuring appropriate parameters are used.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously measures physiological parameters (oxygen saturation, respiratory rate) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust oxygen supply parameters. The control unit receives real-time data from sensors and modifies flowrate and dosage to maintain target SpO2 levels, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures parameter appropriateness.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If breathing gas supply is not rapidly stopped when no longer required, then continuous monitoring is maintained, but indirect hospital stay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors physiological parameters and automatically adjusts or stops breathing gas supply based on real-time feedback. When target oxygen saturation is achieved and maintained, or when respiratory rate indicates improved condition, the control unit automatically reduces or discontinues supply, preventing unnecessary prolonged hospital stay while maintaining monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the duration of breathing gas supply based on patient response. Rather than fixed continuous supply, the system adjusts supply duration according to measured physiological parameters, automatically terminating supply when no longer needed while maintaining monitoring capability.
3Extent of automation
If measured physiological parameters are used for controlling supply parameters, then automatic adjustment is achieved, but low accuracy and low quality signals lead to improper supply parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from physiological parameter measurements to automatically adjust supply parameters. The control unit continuously receives data from sensors and modifies oxygen dosage and flowrate based on measured values, achieving automatic adjustment while accounting for measurement quality through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates safety margins and validation checks before making automatic adjustments. The control unit verifies measurement quality and uses conservative adjustment strategies to prevent improper supply parameters resulting from low-quality signals, cushioning against potential errors from imprecise measurements.
4Ease of operation
If humidification of breathing gas is performed, then patient comfort is improved, but overhumidity and condensation risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts humidification parameters based on measured physiological data and supply conditions. The control unit modifies humidity levels in real-time according to patient response and environmental conditions, maintaining optimal comfort while preventing overhumidity and condensation through continuous parameter adaptation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling the delivery of a breathing gas to a patient. The method comprises: delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient, the breathing gas having a breathing gas flowrate and a fraction of inspired oxygen; measuring an oxygen saturation level of the patient; determining a respiratory rate of the patient; automatically adjusting the fraction of inspired oxygen of the breathing gas based on the measured oxygen saturation level of the patient and a breathing gas flowrate set-point; and automatically adjusting the breathing gas flowrate set-point based on the determined respiratory rate of the patient.