Breathing Standardization Device for Echocardiogram Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current echocardiogram methods for estimating right atrium pressure (RAP) are limited by variability in patient breathing efforts and inconsistent sonographer instructions, leading to inaccurate RAP estimates, which affect heart failure management.
Innovation Solution
A device with an exhaust assembly and mouthpiece assembly that adjusts inspiratory resistance to standardize breathing efforts by using a selectively expandable and contractible blocking component, ensuring consistent inspiratory effort and accurate RAP estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If patients breathe normally or perform quick bursts of nose-breathing during echocardiograms, then the procedure is simple and quick, but the RAP estimates become inaccurate due to variability in breathing effort
Solution Approach 1:
A breathing effort standardization device is introduced as an intermediary between the patient and the echocardiogram procedure. The device includes a mouthpiece assembly with a valve assembly that controls and standardizes the patient's breathing effort during the procedure, ensuring consistent inspiratory effort regardless of the patient's natural breathing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly changes the breathing parameters by controlling inspiratory flow resistance. The valve is configured to close during inspiration when the patient's inspiratory effort exceeds a threshold, thereby standardizing the breathing effort to a specific parameter range that ensures accurate RAP estimation.
2Reliability
If sonographers use different breathing instructions (normal breathing vs. quick nose-breathing), then the procedure is flexible and easy to perform, but the RAP estimates become inconsistent across different practitioners
Solution Approach 1:
The breathing effort standardization device enables self-service by automatically controlling the breathing effort without requiring the sonographer to provide specific instructions. The valve assembly responds automatically to the patient's inspiratory effort, closing when the threshold is exceeded, thereby standardizing the breathing pattern regardless of who is performing the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly incorporates feedback mechanisms that respond to the patient's breathing effort in real-time. The valve closes during inspiration when inspiratory effort exceeds a threshold, providing automatic feedback control that standardizes breathing effort without requiring manual intervention or specific sonographer instructions.
3Reliability
If patients change their breathing efforts moment to moment, then the procedure remains natural and comfortable, but the RAP estimates become unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to respond to changes in breathing effort in real-time. The valve can open and close based on the patient's instantaneous inspiratory effort, adapting to moment-to-moment variations while maintaining standardized breathing patterns for accurate RAP estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the patient's breathing effort to automatically adjust the valve state. When inspiratory effort exceeds the threshold, the valve closes; when it falls below, the valve opens. This continuous feedback control stabilizes the breathing effort despite natural moment-to-moment variations.
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 device enhances the reliability and validity of RAP estimates during echocardiograms by maintaining consistent breathing efforts, reducing measurement errors and improving diagnostic accuracy for heart failure management.
Implementation Method 1
deliver inspiratory air to the subject in response to inspiration of the subject that exceeds a cracking pressure threshold of an exhaust check valve of the exhaust assembly. In response to exceeding the cracking pressure threshold, the exhaust check valve flexes from a resting position to an inspiration position that permits airflow
Implementation Method 2
The diaphragm can be stimulated to contract and expand to facilitate breathing
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for standardizing breathing effort in subjects are disclosed. An exemplary device has an exhaust housing having a proximal portion that defines a port and an opposed distal portion that defines inspiration and expiration pathways. The distal portion has a distal end surface, and the inspiration and expiration pathways are in fluid communication with the port and extend, respectively, to inlet and outlet openings defined in the distal end surface. An airflow adjustment plate, which defines openings having varying sizes, is rotatably coupled to the distal portion of the exhaust housing. Rotation of the airflow adjustment plate relative to the exhaust housing among a plurality of rotational positions, with a respective opening of the airflow adjustment plate being positioned in alignment with the inlet opening at each position, thereby increasing or decreasing resistance to air flow through the inlet opening.