Cough Assist Device Synchronizing Oscillation with Exhalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oscillation devices for assisting coughs in patients with conditions like COPD and CF often have airflow oscillations that are misaligned with the direction of cough exhalation, hindering effective mucus clearance.
Innovation Solution
A device with a controlling unit that determines complete inhalation, internal air pressure thresholds, and detects the start of oscillation exhalation airflow to synchronize and initiate coughing, ensuring the oscillation airflow is aligned with exhalation for enhanced mucus clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oscillation is generated in the airways of a lung using current oscillation devices, then periodic oscillation airflow is generated to assist mucus clearance, but the direction of the periodic oscillation airflow may be different from the direction of cough (exhalation) airflow, which may impede the cough
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining inhalation completion and pressure thresholds before initiating the cough. The controlling unit determines whether inhalation is complete and whether internal air pressure exceeds a threshold before triggering the oscillation exhalation airflow, ensuring optimal conditions are met before assisting the cough
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to detect the start of oscillation exhalation airflow and adjust valve timing accordingly. The controlling unit detects airflow characteristics and uses this feedback to synchronize the valve opening with the exhalation phase, ensuring the oscillation airflow direction matches the cough direction
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 effectively assists coughing by synchronizing oscillation airflow with exhalation, improving lung mucus clearance and overall patient health outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The oscillation pressure causes a periodic oscillation airflow in a lung system and the periodic oscillation airflow comprises an oscillation exhalation airflow and an oscillation inhalation airflow
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a device (11) for assisting a cough, based on an oscillation pressure. The oscillation pressure causes a periodic oscillation airflow in a lung system and the periodic oscillation airflow comprises an oscillation exhalation airflow and an oscillation inhalation airflow. The device (10) comprises a controlling unit (11), and the controlling unit (11) comprises:a first determining unit (111) for determining whether an inhalation of the lung system is complete, so as to control a valve (13) which is to be closed for isolating the lung system from the external environment,a second determining unit (112) for determining whether an internal air pressure in the lung system is larger than a pre-defined pressure threshold, anda detecting unit (113) for detecting the start of the oscillation exhalation airflow, so as to control the valve (13) which is to be opened for starting a cough.