Compressed Air Control Device for CPAP Apnea Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CPAP devices lack flexibility in handling compressed air and pressure gauge operations, limiting their ability to respond to patient conditions and detect life-threatening apnea phases.
Innovation Solution
A compressed air control device that evaluates pressure signals to generate modulated compressed air flows synchronized with natural breathing reflexes, using a pressure curve evaluation device to detect apnea phases and trigger pressure pulses, and a flow control device to adjust air and oxygen concentration ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a constant compressed air flow is supplied to the hollow body, then the basic CPAP function is maintained, but the device lacks flexibility to respond to patient breathing conditions and detect apnea phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the pressure profile detection device continuously monitors the pressure in the hollow body and sends signals to the compressed air control device. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust the compressed air flow based on detected breathing patterns, apnea phases, and patient responses, transforming a static constant flow system into a dynamic adaptive system without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by automatically detecting apnea phases through pressure monitoring and triggering appropriate compressed air flow modifications. The evaluation device autonomously analyzes the pressure profile, identifies breathing abnormalities, and activates therapeutic pressure pulses without external intervention, enabling the device to serve itself in monitoring and adjusting its own operation
2Reliability
If pressure pulses are triggered to stimulate breathing during apnea phases, then life-threatening conditions can be addressed, but the timing and synchronization with natural breathing reflexes must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure profile detection device continuously monitors pressure variations in the hollow body that correspond to natural breathing reflexes. By analyzing these pressure fluctuations, the system detects the timing and pattern of spontaneous breathing attempts. This feedback information is used to precisely time the triggering of therapeutic pressure pulses, ensuring they are synchronized with the patient's natural breathing rhythm to maximize effectiveness while minimizing disruption to spontaneous breathing
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of the pressure profile to identify apnea phases and breathing patterns before triggering therapeutic pressure pulses. The evaluation device continuously assesses the breathing situation and prepares the compressed air control device to deliver pressure pulses at the optimal moment, ensuring timely intervention while maintaining synchronization with natural breathing reflexes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a compressed air control device for a CPAP device and to a corresponding CPAP system. The compressed air control device comprises: a pressure measuring device (101) for measuring a variation of the pressure (P10) in a hollow body (10) of the CPAP device (1) and for generating a corresponding pressure signal (102); a pressure variation evaluating device (103, 104) for evaluating the measured variation of the pressure (P10) according to at least one predetermined criterion and for generating a pressure modulation control signal (106) based on the result of the evaluation; and a pressure modulating device (110) for receiving a substantially constant compressed air stream (DS) and for outputting a modulated compressed air stream (DSM) to the CPAP device (1), which is configured in such a way that, in response to the pressure modulation control signal (106), it modulates the pressure of the compressed air stream (DSM) output to the CPAP device (1).