Cough Simulation Device for Bronchial Secretion Clearance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with impaired cough function due to respiratory diseases cannot effectively clear bronchial secretions, and conventional ventilators fail to replicate the cough function independently and rapidly, especially in home settings without trained assistance.
Innovation Solution
A treatment device with a pump, breathing tube, pressure sensor, proportional servo valve, and controller that allows for independent and rapid variation of positive and negative pressures to simulate a cough cycle, enabling precise control of pressure profiles to facilitate secretion removal without lung collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ventilators are modified to provide a cough programme, then the cough function can be replicated, but the inspiration pressure and exsufflation pressure cannot be controlled independently and cannot be altered rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the control of inspiration pressure and exsufflation pressure into independent control channels. The pump has distinct inlet and outlet sides that can be independently regulated, allowing each pressure parameter to be controlled separately through dedicated control loops rather than being coupled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic pressure control where both inspiration and exsufflation pressures can be rapidly adjusted during operation. The control system responds in real-time to patient needs, allowing quick modification of pressure parameters without requiring system reconfiguration or manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the output of the pump is varied to control inspiration and exsufflation pressures, then the cough function can be simulated, but the pressures cannot be adjusted quickly when the patient's face mask moves
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the actual pressures delivered to the patient and compare them with the desired pressure profiles. When the face mask moves or leaks occur, the feedback loop detects the deviation and automatically adjusts the pump output to restore the correct pressure levels, enabling rapid compensation without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If physiotherapy is used to assist removal of bronchial secretions, then effective secretion clearance can be achieved, but a trained person must be available to administer the treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to autonomously perform the functions previously requiring trained physiotherapy intervention. The automated pump system with programmed cough cycles can independently generate the necessary pressure variations to clear secretions, eliminating the need for trained personnel to physically assist the patient while maintaining effective secretion clearance.
4Productivity
If rapid switching from positive to negative pressure is used to replicate cough function, then secretion expulsion can be achieved, but lung collapse may occur if pressure control is not precise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure parameters including the magnitude of positive and negative pressures, the duration of each phase, and the transition rates between phases. By precisely controlling these parameters, the device generates effective cough pressures for secretion expulsion while maintaining pressures within safe limits to prevent lung collapse or barotrauma.
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 replicates the cough function, allowing for the removal of bronchial secretions while minimizing the risk of lung collapse, and can be used independently in home settings without trained personnel, improving patient safety and secretion clearance.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, the pump having an inlet side and an outlet side, the pressure at the inlet side in use being lower than atmospheric pressure, the pressure at the outlet side in use being higher than atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
a valve which can selectively connect the breathing tube to the inlet side or the outlet side of the pump; Preferably the valve is a proportional servo valve. The use of a proportional servo valve permits the pressure in the breathing tube to be varied between zero and the maximum pump pressure
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor adapted to determine the pressure within the breathing tube
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a treatment device (10) and method of use, and in particular to a treatment device adapted to assist the clearance of bronchial secretions in persons whose cough function is impaired. The invention provides a treatment device having a pump (12) with a negative pressure inlet side (22) and a positive pressure outlet side (24). The device has a breathing tube (14) for connection to a patient, and a pressure sensor (18) adapted to determine the pressure within the breathing tube. A valve (16) selectively connects the breathing tube to the inlet side or the outlet side of the pump whereby to provide cycles of positive and negative pressure within the breathing tube. A controller (26) is provided to control the valve. An indicator (20) alerts the patient to an operational status of the device so that the patient can breathe in time with the device and in particular can seek to cough at the same time as the pressure within the breathing tube is rapidly reduced.