Deformable Blower for Respiratory Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) devices face challenges with comfort, noise, ease of use, efficacy, size, weight, manufacturability, cost, and reliability, particularly due to complex and expensive motor-driven blowers that are not suitable for medical applications, which require quiet operation and synchronization with patient breathing patterns.
Innovation Solution
A blower design utilizing deformable members, such as electroactive polymers, that convert between configurations to generate a flow of air at positive pressure, with a controller adjusting electrical energy application to maintain target pressure and reduce noise, featuring a plurality of chambers operating out of phase to enhance airflow consistency and reduce disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If motor-driven blowers are used to generate positive pressure airflow, then sufficient airflow and pressure can be achieved, but the device complexity, noise, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional motor-driven mechanical blowers with a pneumatic system using a diaphragm and valve assembly. The diaphragm is actuated by controlled air pressure to open and close valves, creating a pumping action that generates positive pressure airflow without motors or complex mechanical components. This substitution eliminates motors, reduces mechanical complexity, and lowers noise levels while maintaining effective airflow generation capability.
2Stress or pressure
If traditional blowers are used, then adequate pressure can be maintained, but noise levels increase and comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces motor-driven blowers with a purely pneumatic diaphragm-based system. The diaphragm is actuated by controlled air pressure to rhythmically open and close inlet and outlet valves, creating airflow through pressure differential rather than mechanical forcing. This eliminates motor noise and reduces overall system noise, improving patient comfort while maintaining adequate positive pressure for therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic actuation of the diaphragm through controlled air pressure cycles. The diaphragm alternates between inflated and deflated states, rhythmically opening and closing valves to create continuous airflow. This periodic pneumatic action maintains steady positive pressure delivery while operating quietly compared to continuous motor operation.
3Reliability
If complex motor-driven systems are implemented, then reliable pressure generation is achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive motor-driven systems with a simpler pneumatic diaphragm mechanism. The system uses basic pneumatic components (diaphragm, valves, air reservoirs) that are easier and less expensive to manufacture than motor assemblies. The diaphragm is actuated by stored compressed air, eliminating the need for motors, power electronics, and associated complex wiring, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable pressure generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses stored compressed air to automatically actuate the diaphragm and operate the valves without external power sources. The pneumatic pressure itself drives the pumping action, creating a self-contained system that eliminates motors and power requirements. This self-service mechanism reduces component count, simplifies manufacturing, and improves reliability by removing failure-prone electrical components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If synchronous airflow with breathing patterns is required, then therapy effectiveness improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic diaphragm actuation that can be synchronized with patient breathing patterns. By controlling the frequency and timing of diaphragm inflation/deflation cycles, the device can match respiratory rates and provide airflow support during inhalation and exhalation phases. This periodic pneumatic rhythm enables breathing synchronization without requiring complex electronic control systems, using simple timing mechanisms instead.
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 blower design improves power efficiency, reduces complexity and cost, enhances comfort by minimizing noise, and synchronizes airflow with patient breathing, addressing the limitations of traditional motor-driven blowers in RPT devices.
Implementation Method 1
A blower design utilizing deformable members, such as electroactive polymers, that convert between configurations to generate a flow of air at positive pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A blower comprises a housing, an inlet to receive air, an outlet to deliver a flow of air and a deformable member configured to pump a chamber. The deformable member may be configurable to a first configuration and a second configuration, for example by electrical energy that may be applied as current or voltage. The blower may comprise a plurality of chambers, wherein each chamber may be compressed out of phase with each other, for example such that the flow rate of the generated air flow may not fluctuate as much. In other forms, the blower may comprise a plurality of chambers that vary in size.