Integrated Ventilator Control for Automatic Secretion Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical insufflators/exsufflators for secretion management are often underutilized, leading to secretion accumulation in patients' airways, which can deteriorate ventilation, and there is a need for a system that ensures regular and needs-based secretion management.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a therapy device with a control unit, user interface, memory, and sensor, capable of automatically starting, reminding, and repeating therapy based on patient data and user actions, integrated with a ventilator for combined ventilation and secretion management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical insufflators/exsufflators are used independently of ventilators, then secretion management therapy can be provided, but patient compliance decreases and therapy regularity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ventilator and mechanical insufflator/exsufflator into an integrated system. The control unit of the ventilator automatically manages the hose system to provide both ventilation and secretion management therapy without requiring patient intervention to switch devices, thereby ensuring regular therapy while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The hose system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be provided with positive pressure for ventilation and negative pressure for secretion management. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices and manual switching, improving both therapy regularity and patient compliance
2Productivity
If manual switching between ventilator and therapy device is required, then separate specialized therapy can be provided, but therapy frequency decreases and secretion accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilator and therapy device are merged into a single integrated system with a unified control unit. This eliminates the need for manual switching between devices, increases therapy frequency by enabling automatic sequential therapy cycles, and reduces operational complexity for the patient
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is pre-programmed with therapy protocols that automatically sequence ventilation and secretion management cycles. This preliminary configuration enables high therapy frequency without requiring complex real-time decisions by the patient or operator
3Extent of automation
If separate ventilator and cough device are used, then specialized therapy functions are available, but automatic therapy initiation is lost and reminder functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system merges the control functions of separate ventilator and cough devices while maintaining all specialized therapy functions. The control unit automatically initiates therapy based on patient data from sensors, providing both high automation and full therapy versatility through unified control
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor patient parameters and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback enables automatic therapy initiation and dynamic adjustment of therapy parameters, maintaining versatility while achieving high automation
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
Ensures regular and effective secretion management by automatically initiating therapy when needed, reducing secretion accumulation and improving ventilation outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
based on determined data, in particular based on measured values and stored values for SpO2, pulse, and/or CO2
Implementation Method 2
pressure and volume flow behavior
Implementation Method 3
flow, pressure, oxygen saturation, frequency, or volume
Implementation Method 4
at least one source of gas for generating an overpressure and/or at least one sink for gas for generating a negative pressure
Implementation Method 5
at least one source of gas for generating an overpressure and/or at least one sink for gas for generating a negative pressure
Implementation Method 6
the control unit has a therapy start mechanism for starting the therapy, and/or a therapy reminder mechanism for reminding the therapy and/or a therapy repeat mechanism for extending and/or repeating the therapy
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system comprising at least one therapy device for performing therapy and at least one tubing system for a gas-conducting connection between the therapy device and a patient, wherein the therapy device has at least one source of gas for generating positive pressure and/or at least one sink for gas for generating negative pressure and at least temporarily provides the tubing system with positive pressure and/or negative pressure for performing the therapy, wherein the system further comprises at least one control unit, at least one user interface, at least one memory, and at least one sensor, wherein the control unit has at least one of the following therapy mechanisms: a therapy start mechanism for initiating the therapy, a therapy reminder mechanism for remembering the therapy, a therapy repetition mechanism for extending and/or repeating the therapy.each of the therapy mechanisms is based on user actions, patient and/or therapy data.