Breathing Regulation Apparatus with Visual and Auditory Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices lack effective methods to assist patients in achieving efficient breathing regulation, especially during stressful situations when anxiety and stress hormones dominate, leading to a need for integrated sensory adaptations to enhance calming effects.

Innovation Solution

A breathing regulation apparatus and method that incorporate visual, audible, and breathing regulation processes, utilizing a breath conduit, indicator adaptor, and indicator housing to provide sensory inputs and aid in calming the patient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If patients attempt to control their breathing independently during stress, then breathing regulation is attempted, but the strong influences of stress, blood chemistry irregularities, and hormonal effects prevent effective control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreathing control effectivenessVSAvoidbreathing control difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (breathing regulation apparatus) that mediates between the patient and the breathing process. The apparatus includes visual indicators (floating ball, colored lights) and audible cues (air flow through outlets) that serve as intermediaries to guide breathing without requiring direct conscious control, thus overcoming the limitation of stressed brains unable to control breathing effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus provides continuous visual and audible feedback about breathing status. The floating ball rises and falls with breath, colored lights indicate breathing phases, and air flow through outlets provides audible cues. This feedback loop allows patients to regulate breathing effectively despite stress by responding to external cues rather than relying on internal sensation alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If only breathing regulation is used without additional sensory adaptations, then breathing control is attempted, but maximum benefit is not achieved due to lack of multiple sensory inputs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalming effect effectivenessVSAvoidsensory adaptation integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sensory modalities into a single integrated apparatus. Visual elements (floating ball, colored LED lights, transparent housing) are combined with audible elements (air flow through outlets, speaker for guided breathing) and tactile elements (breath conduit in mouth). This multi-sensory integration enhances the calming effect by engaging multiple sensory pathways simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The breathing regulation apparatus serves multiple functions: it provides breathing resistance, generates visual indicators, produces audible cues, and delivers guided breathing instructions. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address various aspects of stress management, making it adaptable to different patient needs and stress situations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The apparatus effectively helps patients transition from an anxious state to a calmer state by combining breathing regulation with visual and auditory stimuli, allowing for more sustained emotional control and mindfulness.

Implementation Method 1

constricting the air flow through the primary air passageway to increase an air pressure force therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure increase through flow constriction: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

collecting the air flow within a partially enclosed air chamber in fluid communication with the primary air passageway... pushing a portion of the air flow through a plurality of air outlets in fluid communication with the air chamber to change air pressure forces within the air chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid communication and pressure distribution: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 3

An indicator device 145 is positioned within the indicator housing 160, and the indicator device is configured to traverse the secondary air passageway 155 with air pressure from the air inlet 140

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven motion: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250114553A1Apparatus to moderate behavior with visual, auditory, and breathing regulation

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 WEBE KÄLM LLC

AI summary

A living subject or patient, may blow into a primary air passageway within a breath conduit positioned to receive the patient's breath and/or air into the primary air passageway. The air pressure from the breath conduit sends an indicator device, such as a lightweight ball, aloft within the secondary air passageway. The air pressure further sends air through a plurality of air openings that generate white noise during use. The air pressure, the visual stimulation of watching the ball float, and the white noise are used to provide a therapeutic effect to a person having anxiety and avoid hyperventilation.