2-Wire Heated Conduit for CPAP Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heated wire breathing circuits for CPAP systems are complex and costly due to their 3-wire or 4-wire configurations, which complicate both heating and temperature measurement functions, necessitating a simpler and more cost-effective solution for maintaining airpath temperature control.

Innovation Solution

A 2-wire heated conduit system with a microcontroller-controlled active control element, utilizing a bootstrap power supply and a switch to manage heating and temperature sensing, allowing for closed-loop temperature control and patient interface device integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a 3-wire or 4-wire configuration is used for heated breathing circuits, then heating and temperature measurement functions can be provided, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines heating and temperature sensing functions into a single 2-wire circuit by integrating the temperature sensor within the active control element at the patient interface device. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensing wires while maintaining closed-loop temperature control capability through the unified circuit architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The active control element serves multiple functions: it controls heating wire operation, senses temperature through the integrated sensor, and communicates with the base unit. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components and wiring connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a 3-wire or 4-wire configuration is used for heated breathing circuits, then heating and temperature measurement functions can be provided, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the wiring system and relocates it into the active control element at the patient interface device. This extraction simplifies the wiring requirements to just two wires while maintaining the ability to perform both heating and temperature measurement functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If a 2-wire configuration is used, then device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but temperature measurement and control capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit complexityVSAvoidtemperature control reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements closed-loop temperature control by continuously monitoring temperature through the integrated sensor and adjusting heating wire operation accordingly. The active control element receives temperature data from the sensor and modulates heating power to maintain the desired airpath temperature, ensuring reliable temperature control despite the simplified 2-wire configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional separate heating and sensing circuits with an integrated electronic control system. The active control element uses electronic signal processing to perform both heating control and temperature sensing functions through the same 2-wire connection, substituting mechanical/wiring complexity with electronic intelligence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This configuration simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, enhances flexibility, and maintains effective temperature control, improving patient comfort and system efficiency while maintaining accurate temperature measurement and tube identification.

Implementation Method 1

a heating wire, the heating wire being connected between the active control element and a connection terminal positioned at or about the first end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11547829B2Heated conduit for delivering gas to a patient

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A conduit for communicating a flow of breathing gas from a pressure generating device to the airway of a patient. The conduit includes a first end which is structured to be coupled to the pressure generating device for receiving the flow of breathing gas and an opposite second end which is structured to be coupled to a patient interface device. The conduit further includes an active control element positioned at or near the second end; a first heating wire connected between the active control element and a first connection terminal positioned at or about the first end; and a second heating wire connected between the active control element and a second connection terminal positioned at or about the first end. Each of the first and second connection terminals are structured to be connected to a tube power supply.