Fluid Column Ventilator Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical ventilators are expensive, require substantial training and expertise, and do not provide easy and cost-effective means to set patient-specific upper limits of safe positive pressure commensurate with peak inspiratory pressure levels, posing treatment and safety challenges, especially in resource-limited settings.
Innovation Solution
A ventilator system with two containers filled with fluid and a primary duct, featuring a two-port or three-port valve, allows for adjustable peak inspiratory and positive end-expiratory pressures, breaths per minute, and inspiratory to expiratory time ratios, enabling safe and customizable respiratory assistance for patients of all ages, including conversion to CPAP systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical ventilators are used to provide breathing assistance, then reliable respiratory support is achieved, but the device becomes expensive and requires substantial training and expertise to operate and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex mechanical ventilators with a simple, low-cost apparatus using basic components like fluid columns, tubes, and valves that can be easily manufactured and disposed of, eliminating the need for expensive equipment while maintaining breathing support functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus enables patients or caregivers to easily adjust pressure settings using simple fluid column mechanisms without requiring specialized training, making the system self-serviceable and eliminating dependence on complex mechanical ventilators requiring expert operation
2Reliability
If conventional mechanical ventilators are used, then adequate breathing support is provided, but the cost becomes prohibitive for economically disadvantaged populations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses inexpensive, easily manufacturable components such as fluid columns, simple tubes, and basic valves instead of expensive mechanical ventilator systems, making breathing support accessible to economically disadvantaged populations while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus employs hydraulic principles using fluid columns to generate and regulate positive pressure for breathing support, replacing expensive mechanical systems with simple, low-cost fluid-based pressure control mechanisms that are easy to manufacture and maintain
3Device complexity
If two pressure control conduits are placed in the same container, then device complexity is reduced, but back pressure is generated causing patient-specific pressure levels to be inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pressure control system into separate containers for peak inspiratory pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure control, eliminating back pressure interference between the two pressure settings while maintaining ease of adjustment through individual fluid column mechanisms
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 system provides stable lung volume stabilization and improved gas exchange by allowing precise control of pressures, oscillations, and frequencies, reducing the risk of lung damage while being simpler, more affordable, and easier to operate and maintain than traditional ventilators.
Implementation Method 1
a peak inspiratory pressure control conduit 117 to control the peak inspiratory pressure and a positive end-expiratory pressure control conduit 121 to control the positive end-expiratory pressure
Implementation Method 2
A two-port valve 124, also known as a two-way valve, is connected in between the inspiratory pressure control duct and the positive end-expiratory pressure control duct wherein the rate of opening and closing of the valve can be controlled
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilator, or a breathing assistance apparatus, is disclosed to ventilate patients who may have breathing difficulties, said device comprising a inspiratory pressure control duct configured to be immersed in a first body of fluid; a positive end-expiratory pressure control duct configured to be immersed in a second body of fluid; at least one valve connected to the peak inspiratory pressure control duct and to the positive end-expiratory pressure control duct, and at least one controller communicably connected to the valve to control rate of cycling of the valve, thereby controlling number of breaths per minute, and to control the duration of peak inspiratory pressure also known as inspiratory time.