Dynamic Pressure Adjustment for Sleep Apnea Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for sleep-disordered breathing using positive pressure devices often cause discomfort due to difficulty exhaling, as they cannot effectively adjust pressure during the expiratory phase without compromising treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures the total airflow and calculates a respiratory flow index to determine pressure compensation values, allowing for dynamic adjustment of treatment pressure during inspiration and expiration phases, thereby reducing discomfort while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a constant treatment pressure is delivered during the expiratory phase, then treatment effectiveness is maintained, but patient comfort deteriorates due to difficulty on exhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant pressure delivery to dynamic pressure adjustment during the expiratory phase. The system continuously adapts the treatment pressure based on real-time detection of respiratory events and patient response, allowing pressure to vary within a range rather than remaining fixed. This enables the system to maintain effectiveness while improving comfort by reducing pressure when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the treatment pressure parameter during expiration based on detected respiratory events. When events such as snoring, flow limitation, or apnea are detected, the system adjusts the pressure parameter dynamically. This allows the treatment to remain effective for the detected condition while avoiding excessive pressure that would cause discomfort during normal exhalation phases.
2Ease of operation
If the treatment pressure value is reduced to eliminate discomfort, then patient comfort improves, but treatment effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring respiratory events, flow patterns, and patient response to treatment. This feedback loop allows the system to detect when pressure needs to be maintained for effectiveness versus when it can be reduced for comfort. The real-time feedback enables dynamic adjustment that preserves effectiveness while improving comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static pressure delivery to dynamic pressure adjustment based on real-time patient response. By continuously adapting pressure levels according to detected respiratory events and patient needs, the system ensures treatment effectiveness is maintained when required while allowing comfort improvements when conditions permit.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pressure compensation is applied to maintain stable mask pressure, then treatment stability improves, but ability to reduce pressure during expiration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the pressure compensation system dynamic rather than static. Instead of continuously compensating to maintain a fixed pressure setpoint, the system dynamically adjusts compensation levels based on detected respiratory events and phase of breathing. This allows stable pressure delivery when needed while enabling pressure reduction during expiration when conditions allow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies periodic action by cycling through different pressure compensation strategies based on the breathing phase and detected events. During inspiration, full compensation maintains stability; during expiration, reduced compensation allows pressure reduction for comfort. This periodic modulation of compensation intensity resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves continuously measuring total flow rate of air delivered by a sleep related respiratory disorders treating apparatus, and calculating difference between the total flow rate and base value of the total flow rate. Respiratory flow rate index is determined, and pressure compensation value is determined from the respiratory flow rate index. Pressure value for treatment in a calibration comfort mode is determined as a function of the pressure compensation value and treatment pressure value. An independent claim is also included for an apparatus for treating sleep related respiratory disorders.