Hypopnea Pressure Boost Circuit for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for sleep-disordered breathing, such as CPAP devices, often fail to effectively address hypopneas as they typically provide pressure levels only up to the Pcrit level, which is insufficient to treat these events, and do not adjust pressure in response to hypopnea events.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect hypopnea events and temporarily increase the pressure of the breathable gas supply during inspiration by a small amount above Pcrit and CPAP levels until the event is normalized, using a pressure boost circuit and processor to manage the delivery of pressurized gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CPAP devices provide pressure levels only up to Pcrit level, then the device complexity is kept simple, but the treatment efficacy for hypopneas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the breathable gas pressure in real-time based on detected respiratory events. When a hypopnea is detected, the pressure is temporarily increased above the baseline Pcrit level, and when an apnea is detected, the pressure is increased to a higher level. This dynamic pressure adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling effective hypopnea treatment without requiring a completely different device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the breathable gas based on detected event types. By modifying the pressure level parameter dynamically - using moderate increases for hypopneas and larger increases for apneas - the system achieves differentiated treatment efficacy while maintaining the same basic device structure, thus resolving the contradiction between treatment effectiveness and device complexity.
2Reliability
If pressure is increased during inspiration to treat hypopneas, then treatment efficacy improves, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies pressure increases periodically and temporarily only when hypopnea events are detected, rather than maintaining elevated pressure continuously. The pressure is boosted during the specific time periods when respiratory events occur and returns to baseline when events are normalized. This periodic, event-triggered approach improves treatment efficacy while minimizing energy consumption compared to continuous high-pressure delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial pressure increases - using a moderate pressure boost for hypopneas rather than the full pressure increase used for apneas. This differentiated partial action provides sufficient treatment for hypopneas while consuming less energy than would be required for continuous or excessive pressure application, resolving the contradiction between treatment efficacy and energy use.
3Reliability
If the pressure is increased temporarily during hypopnea events, then the hypopnea events are normalized, but the device complexity increases due to pressure boost circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure boost circuit functionality is merged with the existing CPAP device architecture, integrating the temporary pressure increase capability into the baseline pressure delivery system. By combining the continuous Pcrit pressure delivery with the event-triggered pressure boost function in a single integrated system, the patent achieves effective hypopnea normalization while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure delivery system is designed to perform multiple functions: delivering baseline Pcrit pressure for apnea treatment, providing moderate pressure boosts for hypopnea treatment, and detecting various respiratory events. This multi-functionality allows a single device configuration to handle both apneas and hypopneas effectively, reducing the need for separate specialized components and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 approach effectively treats hypopneas by providing a higher pressure during inspiration, improving treatment efficacy for patients with sleep-disordered breathing by normalizing hypopnea events and reducing overall sleep disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
introducing positive airway pressure to the patient. This technique pneumatically splints the airway open and reduces the number of apneic events
Implementation Method 2
The pressure of the supply of pressurized breathable gas may be increased to a boosted pressure during patient inspiration in response to the first signal to normalize the hypopnea event
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and/or apparatuses for treating sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are provided. In particular, systems and/or methods are provided which may temporarily boost the pressure of a supply of breathable gas provided by an AutoSet device for the treatment of hypopnea. In certain example embodiments, a supply of breathable is provided to patients to treat apneas and/or hypopneas. The presence and/or absence of apneas and/or hypopneas are detected (e.g. by monitoring the Apnea-Hypopnea Index). When hypopnea events are detected, the pressure of the supply of breathable gas temporarily is increased above the Pcrit and/or CPAP levels, at least during patient inspiration. When the hypopnea events are normalized, the pressure is reduced. In certain example embodiments, the pressure will not be increased when a non-hypopnea event is detected at the same time as a hypopnea event.