Inspiratory Gas Volume Divider with Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inspiratory gas volume dividers for medical ventilators are unreliable and lack accurate control, especially when dealing with varying respiratory tract resistances and the use of constant pressure ventilators, and do not provide sufficient control over expiratory pressure.
Innovation Solution
An automatic inspiratory gas volume divider with elastic tubes and volume measurement systems connected to a controller, allowing for precise gas volume division independent of respiratory tract resistances, and incorporating monitoring circuits and PEEP valves for enhanced control and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple pneumatic resistors are used for gas volume division, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and accuracy of ventilation control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple pneumatic resistors with a controlled valve system that uses electronic control and feedback mechanisms. The valve divider is controlled by a controller that receives feedback from gas volume measurement systems, substituting passive mechanical resistance with an active controlled system that adjusts gas flow dynamically to maintain reliable ventilation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by connecting gas volume measurement systems in the inspiratory lines to a controller that adjusts the valve divider position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate and reliable ventilation control by continuously monitoring and adjusting gas volume division based on actual measurements.
2Manufacturing precision
If flow intensity regulators are used to control inspiratory volumes, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the stability of ventilation control deteriorates when flow velocity profiles differ between branches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control where gas volume measurement systems continuously monitor the actual gas volume delivered to each lung and provide feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the valve divider position to compensate for differences in flow velocity profiles and respiratory tract resistances, maintaining stable ventilation control despite variations in patient condition or branch characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying the gas volume division ratio based on real-time measurements from the gas volume measurement systems. The controller continuously adapts the valve divider position to maintain the desired ventilation parameters without requiring manual intervention, even when respiratory tract conditions change.
3Reliability
If a valve divider with volume measurement and feedback control is implemented, then the reliability and accuracy of ventilation control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified system: the valve divider serves both as a flow splitting mechanism and as a controllable element; the gas volume measurement systems provide both measurement and feedback functions; the controller performs both monitoring and adjustment tasks. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and improves reliability while managing complexity through functional integration.
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 solution provides accurate and stable ventilation control for each lung, independent of respiratory tract variations, and is suitable for constant pressure ventilators, ensuring the desired gas volume is delivered to each lung while preventing pulmonary alveoli collapse during expiration.
Implementation Method 1
the fragments of inspiratory lines in the valve divider are in the form of elastic tubes deformable by means of a moveable element for controlling gas volume in the inspiratory lines downstream of the valve divider
Implementation Method 2
at least two inspiratory lines ending with inspiratory branches and comprising one-way valves, and at least two expiratory lines ending with expiratory branches and comprising one-way valves
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
The object of the invention is an inspiratory gas volume divider comprising at least two inspiratory lines (18, 19) having inspiratory branches (14,16) at ends thereof and comprising one-way valves (2,3) and at least two expiratory lines (20, 21) having expiratory branches (15,17) at ends thereof and comprising one-way valves (7,12). The inspiratory branches and expiratory branches are in pairs combined with each other in at least two inspiratory- expiratory pairs. The initial portions of the inspiratory lines are connected to the divider valve (23) provided with a control input. In the inspiratory lines, after the volume valve divider, there are included systems measuring gas volume (11,12) with output signals thereof delivered to the controller (22), and the output signal thereof is connected to the volume divider's input. Further, the object of the invention is a method of dividing the inspiratory gas volume in a divider comprising at least two inspiratory lines and two expiratory lines connected to a controlled divider provided with a control input. The method comprises the stages of: setting the desired inspiratory gas volume division, measuring and subsequently re-setting the division in feedback loop via the control input. In the stage of measuring, the volume of gas in each of the inspiratory lines is subjected to measurement, and the measurement signal is converted in an automatic controller to the valve divider's control signal.