Flow Generator Integrating Sensory Stimulation for Sleep Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow generators and mask systems for treating Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) with Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) lack features to enhance patient comfort and sleep quality, primarily focusing on air pressure delivery without sensory stimulation.
Innovation Solution
Integration of visual, audio, and aromatic units into flow generators and mask systems to stimulate human senses, including projection units for images, audio units for sounds, and aromatic units for therapeutic aromas, along with a sleep stage monitor to control these features based on patient parameters, enhancing treatment efficacy and sleep quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flow generators are designed solely for pressurized air delivery, then the device structure remains simple and reliable, but patient comfort and sleep quality cannot be enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensory stimulation functions (visual projection unit, audio unit, aromatic unit) into a single flow generator device that also delivers pressurized air for NIPPV treatment. This integration allows the device to provide both medical treatment and sleep enhancement features without requiring separate standalone devices, thereby improving adaptability while managing system complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow generator is designed to perform multiple functions: delivering pressurized air for sleep disordered breathing treatment, providing visual stimulation through projection, audio stimulation through speakers, and aromatic stimulation through scent release. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address both medical needs and comfort enhancement, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple sensory stimulation units are integrated into the flow generator, then patient comfort and sleep quality are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensory stimulation units (visual, audio, aromatic) are merged into the flow generator housing, allowing them to be controlled and operated as part of a unified system. This integration improves ease of operation by providing coordinated sensory stimulation while managing the complexity burden through shared control mechanisms and unified device operation.
3Reliability
If sensory stimulation features are added to enhance sleep quality, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the device requires more energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The flow generator incorporates a sleep stage monitor that provides feedback on patient sleep status. Based on this feedback, the control unit intelligently activates or deactivates specific sensory stimulation features (visual, audio, aromatic) at appropriate times during the sleep cycle. This feedback-based control ensures treatment efficacy by providing stimulation when needed while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding continuous operation of all features.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment includes a housing, a blower provided to the housing, and a projection unit provided to the housing. The blower is operable to provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet. The projection unit is operable to project an image onto a surface adjacent the housing.