Chest Wall Oscillation Air Pulse Generator With Pressure Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

HFCWO systems lack garment type detection and diagnosis capabilities, operating in an open loop without feedback on therapy intensity, frequency, and duration, and do not account for patient-specific respiratory patterns.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pressure sensor in the air pulse generator to detect pressure changes in the fluid chamber, generating a pressure waveform that identifies the garment type and size, and using control circuitry to analyze breathing patterns without electrical connection, enabling feedback control and synchronization with patient respiration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pressure sensor is added to detect pressure changes in the fluid chamber, then garment identification and feedback control capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegarment identification capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor detects pressure changes in the fluid chamber caused by garment compression during respiration, creating a feedback loop where the system monitors and responds to patient-specific respiratory patterns. This enables automatic garment identification and therapy adjustment without manual input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the patient's own respiratory movements to automatically identify the garment type and adjust therapy parameters. The pressure sensor detects compression forces generated by the patient's breathing, allowing the system to self-configure based on real-time physiological data without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If pressure sensor data is used for feedback control, then therapy efficacy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy efficacyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuitry processes pressure sensor signals to detect respiratory patterns and automatically adjusts motor operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures therapy synchronization with patient breathing, improving efficacy while managing complexity through automated control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies motor parameters such as oscillation frequency and amplitude based on real-time pressure data. By dynamically adjusting these parameters in response to detected respiratory patterns, the system optimizes therapy delivery without requiring complex manual programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the system operates in open loop without feedback, then device complexity is reduced, but inability to detect garment type and respiratory patterns limits adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidpatient-specific therapy adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor provides continuous feedback on garment compression and respiratory patterns, enabling the system to adapt therapy parameters in real-time. This transforms the open-loop system into a closed-loop system that automatically responds to patient-specific conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual adjustment mechanisms with automated electronic sensing and control. The pressure sensor and control circuitry substitute for mechanical or manual garment selection and therapy parameter adjustment, enabling more sophisticated adaptability with minimal increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate garment identification, patient-specific therapy adjustment, and respiratory pattern analysis, enhancing therapy efficacy and comfort by synchronizing oscillation with patient breathing, facilitating lung health assessment and diagnosis.

Implementation Method 1

Following ideal gas Boyle's law, a change in the fluid volume in the garment due to ribcage compression against the garment raises the pressure in the fluid chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBoyle's Law: Boyle's Law

Implementation Method 2

A motor is configured to generate compression and expansion of the fluid in the fluid chamber to generate pressurized fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20260090945A1High frequency chest wall oscillation air pulse generator having pressure sensor for feedback control

Publication Date: 2026.04.02 HILL ROM SERVICES PTE LTD(SG)

AI summary

A high frequency chest wall oscillation therapy system includes an air pulse generator including control circuitry and a fluid chamber carrying a fluid. A motor is configured to generate compression and expansion of the fluid in the fluid chamber to generate pressurized fluid. A garment includes at least one fluid bladder defining a pressurizable chamber adapted to receive the pressurized fluid from the fluid chamber to provide a force of high frequency pressure oscillation to a patient's chest wall. A pressure sensor detects a pressure relating to the pressurized fluid in the fluid chamber. The control circuitry generates a pressure signal based on the pressure detected.