Flow Therapy Oxygen Control via Feedback Valve Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent oxygen delivery to patients, particularly in fluctuating flow rates, requiring manual adjustments that are difficult to manage and cannot account for real-time changes in respiratory patterns.

Innovation Solution

A control system for a flow therapy apparatus that includes a controller to automatically adjust the valve current based on target oxygen fraction (FdO2) and real-time gas composition measurements, using models and feedback loops to maintain target oxygen delivery despite varying flow rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual adjustment of valve settings is used, then device complexity is reduced, but oxygen delivery consistency deteriorates under fluctuating flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen delivery consistencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously measures the actual oxygen fraction (FdO2) delivered to the patient using a gas composition sensor and compares it with the target FdO2. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the supplemental oxygen flow rate through a control valve to maintain the target oxygen concentration despite variations in total flow rate or patient demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying valve settings in response to measured deviations from target oxygen delivery. The controller monitors FdO2 in real-time and autonomously corrects any discrepancies without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to maintain consistent oxygen delivery under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If automatic control based on real-time measurements is implemented, then oxygen delivery accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen fraction measurement accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously measures the actual oxygen fraction (FdO2) delivered to the patient using a gas composition sensor and compares it with the target FdO2. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the supplemental oxygen flow rate through a control valve to maintain the target oxygen concentration despite variations in total flow rate or patient demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of valve settings with an automated electronic control system. The controller uses electronic signals to adjust the valve based on real-time sensor measurements, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated electromechanical control to improve precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustments are required for changing respiratory patterns, then ease of operation is reduced, but adaptability to real-time changes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to respiratory pattern changesVSAvoidmanual adjustment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying valve settings in response to measured deviations from target oxygen delivery. The controller monitors FdO2 in real-time and autonomously corrects any discrepancies without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to maintain consistent oxygen delivery under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously measures the actual oxygen fraction (FdO2) delivered to the patient using a gas composition sensor and compares it with the target FdO2. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the supplemental oxygen flow rate through a control valve to maintain the target oxygen concentration despite variations in total flow rate or patient demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4699635A2Systems for controlling oxygen delivery in a flow therapy apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LTD
  • EP4699635A2 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4699635A2 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4699635A2 patent drawingFigure 1C~1F

AI summary

The present disclosure provides for a control system for a flow therapy apparatus. The control system can control delivery of a fraction of delivered oxygen (FdO2) to a patient. The control system can maintain the FdO2 at a target level during a therapy session. The control system can automatically control an oxygen inlet valve in order to control the flow of oxygen to the patient.