EIT Lung Ventilation Analysis Using Inhalation-Phase Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for electroimpedance tomography (EIT) during ventilation lack the ability to accurately determine the effects of varying positive end-expiratory pressures on lung ventilation, particularly in assessing lung condition and volume changes, leading to inefficiencies in managing patient ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A system and process that utilizes an EIT device to analyze lung impedance data, incorporating correction data from multiple inhalation phases, to determine differences in lung conditions and volume changes due to varying end-expiratory pressures, providing real-time output signals for improved ventilation management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If EIT data is acquired during ventilation at different positive end-expiratory pressure levels, then lung condition assessment capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to correct for inhalation phase variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary acquisition of correction data during inhalation phases at a first pressure level before comparing impedance values at different pressure levels. This preliminary action enables the subsequent comparison to be corrected for inhalation phase variations, thereby resolving the measurement precision deterioration while maintaining the adaptability to assess lung conditions at multiple pressure levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces correction data as an intermediary element that mediates between the raw EIT impedance measurements taken at different pressure levels. This correction data, acquired during inhalation phases, serves as a reference that allows accurate comparison of lung impedance values across different positive end-expiratory pressure levels, resolving the precision issue while enabling versatile lung condition assessment.
2Measurement precision
If correction data from multiple inhalation phases is incorporated, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: acquiring raw EIT data, acquiring correction data during inhalation phases, and comparing impedance values with correction. This multi-functional approach consolidates the complexity into a single device component rather than requiring separate systems for each function, thereby improving measurement precision while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing EIT measurement capability to generate correction data during inhalation phases, rather than requiring external reference measurements or additional specialized equipment. This self-service approach allows the system to improve measurement precision using its own resources, minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Productivity
If real-time monitoring of lung impedance is performed, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of correction for pressure level variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring lung impedance at different pressure levels and using correction data from inhalation phases to adjust and refine the measurements in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain high productivity through continuous monitoring while improving measurement precision through iterative correction of pressure level variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous acquisition of EIT data and correction data during normal ventilation operations without interrupting the ventilation process. This continuity maintains high productivity while ensuring that precision is improved through ongoing correction and comparison of impedance values at different pressure levels.
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
Enables precise monitoring and adjustment of ventilation pressures to maintain optimal lung function, reducing the risk of lung region collapse or overdistension, and facilitating effective weaning from ventilation by adapting to individual patient responses.
Implementation Method 1
The analysis device may preferably be configured as a system or device for electroimpedance tomography (EIT), which provides the data as image data or data sets of image data as a data set of EIT data
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and process (100) for processing data (101, 102, 103) obtained by an imaging technique enables an improvement of a determination of quality and quantity of ventilation of the lungs. By including a correction data set KDS determined during one or more inhalation phases, it is determined which effects result from adjustments of pressure levels (PEEPA, PEEPB) (81, 82) during ventilation. The result of the determination is provided as an output signal (900).