Breathing Assistance Device Turbine Speed Sensor Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing assistance devices with fixed or multiple pressure settings are not universally accepted by patients and can be improperly adapted for certain pathologies, and the integration of a flowmeter increases device complexity, cost, and breakdown risks.
Innovation Solution
A breathing assistance device that uses a turbine with a speed sensor to measure rotation speed, allowing control means to calculate and adjust pressure settings in real time based on inspiratory and expiratory cycles without a flowmeter, utilizing a microprocessor and pressure sensor for precise regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flowmeter is integrated to measure respiratory flow and adjust pressure settings, then the adaptability to respiratory conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flowmeter from the system entirely and replaces it with a pressure sensor that measures pressure variations in the respiratory circuit. These pressure variations are used to detect respiratory flow information, thereby achieving flow-based pressure adaptation without the complexity of a flowmeter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flowmeter with a pressure-based detection system using a pressure sensor and microprocessor. The microprocessor analyzes pressure signal variations to infer flow information, substituting a complex mechanical measurement system with a simpler electronic pressure sensing and signal processing system.
2Measurement precision
If a flowmeter is integrated to provide flow-based pressure adaptation, then the measurement precision of respiratory activity is improved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow measurement function from a dedicated flowmeter and integrates it into the pressure sensing system. The pressure sensor, already present for pressure regulation, is additionally used to detect flow information through pressure variations, eliminating the need for a separate expensive flowmeter component.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor serves dual functions: it measures pressure for regulation purposes and simultaneously detects flow information through pressure signal variations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate flowmeter, reducing device cost while maintaining measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flowmeter is integrated to enable real-time pressure adjustment based on respiratory cycles, then the adaptability to patient needs is improved, but the reliability of the device decreases due to increased breakdown risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flowmeter, which is identified as a source of breakdown risks, and replaces its functionality with a pressure sensor and microprocessor system. The pressure sensor is more reliable as it is already an integral part of the pressure regulation system, and the electronic signal processing eliminates mechanical failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor and microprocessor system uses the existing pressure regulation infrastructure to simultaneously perform flow detection. The system leverages the pressure variations naturally occurring during respiration, requiring no additional mechanical components that could fail, thereby improving reliability while maintaining adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If fixed pressure settings are used to simplify device operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different pathologies is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed pressure settings to dynamic pressure adjustment based on real-time detection of respiratory cycles. The microprocessor continuously monitors pressure signal variations, detects inspiration and expiration phases, and automatically adjusts pressure settings accordingly, providing adaptability to different respiratory patterns and pathologies while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring pressure variations during respiration and using this information to automatically adjust pressure settings. The microprocessor analyzes the pressure signals, detects respiratory cycle phases, and modifies the pressure delivery in real-time, enabling the device to adapt to different patient needs and pathologies without requiring manual intervention.
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
Enables real-time pressure adjustment to match respiratory activity, reducing device complexity and cost while improving patient comfort and adaptability to various respiratory conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine (100) to generate a flow of pressurised respiratory gas
Implementation Method 2
the turbine is associated to a speed sensor capable of acquiring a signal corresponding to the rotation speed of a rotating element of the turbine
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor on the duct
Implementation Method 4
a circuit receiving the pressure setting resulting from the means of calculation as well as the pressure measured by the pressure sensor, said circuit being capable of elaborating an instantaneous setting for turbine rotation speed
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing assistance device may include a turbine for generating flow of pressurized respiratory gas, a duct for carrying pressurized gas to a patient, and a mechanism to control gas pressure capable of elaborating a pressure setting for the turbine. The turbine is connected to a speed sensor for acquiring the rotation speed of a rotating element of the turbine. A mechanism controls a calculation in order to elaborate a pressure setting and to send the pressure setting to the turbine. A method regulates the pressure of a respiratory gas delivered by a turbine to a patient. The method involves elaborating a pressure setting for the turbine. The pressure setting is elaborated using a signal representative of the rotation speed of a rotating element of the turbine.