Infant CPAP and Resuscitation System Merging Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breathing assistance systems for infants with respiratory distress syndrome require switching between positive airway pressure therapy and resuscitation therapy, leading to inefficiencies and disruptions due to the need to change the patient interface.

Innovation Solution

A combination infant positive airway pressure and resuscitation system that integrates an inspiratory pressure device with a resuscitator, a humidifier, and an occlusion device, allowing for continuous positive airway pressure therapy with intermittent resuscitation without changing the patient interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate resuscitation system is used for resuscitation therapy, then resuscitation can be provided, but the patient interface must be switched between PAP and resuscitation systems, causing time loss and disruption to the infant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresuscitation capabilityVSAvoidtime for switching patient interface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the resuscitation system and PAP system into a single integrated breathing assistance system. The patient interface is designed to work with both resuscitation and continuous positive airway pressure therapy without requiring switching, thereby eliminating time loss and disruption while maintaining both resuscitation capability and PAP therapy functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patient interface is designed as a universal interface that can function with both resuscitation mode and PAP therapy mode. This multi-functional design allows the same interface to be used for different types of breathing assistance, eliminating the need to switch interfaces between therapies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate resuscitation system is used, then resuscitation therapy can be provided, but the switching between systems is disruptive to the infant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresuscitation capabilityVSAvoiddisruption to infant
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the resuscitation system and PAP system into a single integrated breathing assistance system. The patient interface is designed to work with both resuscitation and continuous positive airway pressure therapy without requiring switching, thereby eliminating time loss and disruption while maintaining both resuscitation capability and PAP therapy functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system allows continuous provision of breathing assistance to the infant without interruption. The seamless transition between resuscitation mode and PAP therapy mode ensures that the useful action of providing breathing support continues without disruption, maintaining patient comfort and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If separate PAP and resuscitation systems are used, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases due to multiple interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of patient interfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patient interface is designed as a universal interface that can function with both resuscitation mode and PAP therapy mode. This multi-functional design allows the same interface to be used for different types of breathing assistance, eliminating the need to switch interfaces between therapies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic switching between resuscitation mode and PAP therapy mode using a single patient interface. The interface can adapt its function based on the current therapy requirement, providing resuscitation when needed and PAP therapy during stable periods, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining therapy effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient and uninterrupted delivery of both positive airway pressure and resuscitation therapy to infants, reducing the time and disruption associated with system switching and maintaining patient comfort and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The humidifier humidifies the flow of breathing gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumidification:

Implementation Method 2

The occlusion device is configured to occlude the expiratory circuit at desired times such that the pressure within the inspiratory circuit that receives the flow of breathing gas from the inspiratory pressure device rises to the peak inspiration pressure of the resuscitator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas trapping/occlusion:

Implementation Method 3

The expiratory pressure device is configured to receive expiratory gases from an expiratory circuit and regulate the expiratory gases to a positive end expiration pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure regulation:

Implementation Method 4

The resuscitator is capable of regulating a flow of breathing gas to a desired peak inspiration pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure regulation:

Data Source

PatentEP3616740B1Combination CPAP and resuscitation systems
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LTD
  • EP3616740B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3616740B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP3616740B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A combination positive airway pressure (PAP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and resuscitation system and related methods. The systems can be well-suited for use in providing CPAP therapy for a neonate or infant patient, with the ability to also provide resuscitation therapy at a peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) as needed or desired without switching to another system or switching the patient interface. The system can include an expiratory pressure device capable of regulating a positive end expiration pressure (PEEP) of the system, which preferably can also induce pressure oscillations relative to a mean PEEP.