HFCWO Pressure Device Perpendicular Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing High Frequency Chest Compression (HFCC) therapy systems for loosening mucus from the lungs are inefficient due to pressure devices tilting from their perpendicular position, leading to reduced energy transfer and increased treatment duration, and are costly, making them unaffordable for many healthcare centers.
Innovation Solution
The system features pressure devices with tubes positioned close to the frame, preventing tilting and ensuring perpendicular alignment, and a design that focuses energy transfer to specific areas of the thorax, reducing the overall pressure required while maintaining treatment efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pressure devices are allowed to move freely on the frame, then ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but the pressure devices tilt from perpendicular position reducing treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing selective fixation at specific locations. The pressure device is fixed to the frame only at its base portion while the head portion remains free to contact the thorax. This localized fixation maintains perpendicular alignment at the connection point without restricting the therapeutic contact function, thereby resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and treatment efficiency.
2Productivity
If high pressure is applied to achieve effective mucus clearance, then treatment efficacy is improved, but patient comfort and range of applications deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the pressure application at specific locations. The pressure device head contacts only the upper portion of the thorax (shoulder blade area) rather than distributing pressure across the entire chest surface. This localized pressure concentration achieves effective mucus clearance in targeted lung regions while minimizing overall patient discomfort, enabling broader clinical applicability.
3Productivity
If treatment duration is extended to improve mucus clearance, then treatment efficacy is improved, but loss of time and increased cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through high-frequency oscillating compressions delivered at frequencies between 5-20 Hz. This rapid periodic compression and relaxation cycle creates effective shear forces that loosen mucus from airway walls much faster than static or low-frequency pressure. The oscillating motion achieves thorough mucus clearance in shorter treatment sessions, reducing both time loss and associated costs.
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 enhances treatment efficiency by maintaining pressure devices in the correct position, reducing assembly complexity and cost, and allowing for more focused and gentle pulsations, increasing the range of clinical applications and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure device alternatively passes from an inflated configuration to a deflated configuration so as to give a pulsation onto the thorax of the patient
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of pressure devices configured to apply repetitive compressions or focused pulsations to a thorax
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
Medical equipment (200) for High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) treatment configured to be worn on a thorax and arranged to apply repetitive compressions to the thorax, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of pressure devices (240) to apply the repetitive compressions and comprising each a deformable chamber (308) and at least a port (305, 306) in communication with the chamber (308) configured to let a pressurized fluid flowing alternatively in and out the chamber (308) so that the pressure device (240) alternatively passes from an inflated configuration to a deflated configuration, wherein the medical equipment also comprises at least a frame (220, 230) for holding the pressure devices substantially perpendicular to the thorax, an outer face (314) of the base (304) being in contact with an inner face (231) of the frame (220, 230), wherein at least some of the pressure devices are aligned, two consecutive pressure devices (240, 240) being connected together by at least two tubes (300, 300) the distance (D) between the inner face (231) of the frame (220, 230) and each tube connecting two consecutives pressure devices being inferior to 8 mm.