CPAP Airflow Control Using Acceleration-Based Fall Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CPAP devices lack sufficient safety and reliability measures to prevent accidental falls or impacts, which can lead to water leakage and overheating, posing risks to patients.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of an acceleration sensor to detect drops, falls, and vibrations, with a controller to stop the device's operation and prevent water overflow or heater overheating, enhancing safety and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If CPAP device is placed in a dark room for sleep, then patient comfort is improved, but the risk of accidental falls and impacts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidsafety against falls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The acceleration sensor detects falls and impacts before they can cause harm to the patient. By monitoring acceleration changes continuously, the system proactively identifies dangerous events and triggers immediate protective actions, preventing water leakage and overheating before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If acceleration sensor and control system are added to detect falls, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against fallsVSAvoidsensor and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical safety mechanisms with an electronic acceleration sensor and control system. Instead of using physical switches, levers, or mechanical interlocks to prevent falls, the system uses electronic sensors to detect acceleration changes and triggers electronic control responses, simplifying the overall device architecture while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If device operation is stopped immediately upon detecting fall, then patient safety is improved, but treatment interruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidtreatment continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary protective actions by stopping the heater and water pump immediately upon detecting a fall or impact, preventing water from overflowing into the airflow path before it can happen. This preliminary action prioritizes patient safety by preventing potential harm, even if it temporarily interrupts treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

Prevents water from being sent to the patient's airway and avoids heater damage by stopping operations when falls or impacts occur, ensuring improved safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor that detects acceleration or posture of the medical device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS20250303085A1Medical device

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 FUKUDA DENSHI CO LTD

AI summary

The medical device of the present disclosure includes an air blower that generates an airflow to be delivered to an airway of a patient, a sensor that detects acceleration or posture of the medical device, a water tank that retains water to be added to the airflow as moisture, and a controller that controls the operation of the medical device based on the acceleration or posture detected by the sensor.