Modular Ventilator with Magnetic Flow Control and Low-Noise Blower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ventilators used for patients with respiratory issues are often noisy, disrupting patient rest and caregiver attention, and require precise gas flow control, especially for neonatal patients, due to the loud operation of conventional blowers and the need for custom gas mixtures.
Innovation Solution
A modular ventilator system with a blower featuring an impeller with optimized vanes and a flow control device using a magnetic field and coil system to adjust valve openings, along with a flow cassette and fluid inlet adapter for precise gas flow measurement and control, including temperature and pressure compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional blowers are used to pressurize breathing gas, then sufficient gas flow and pressure are achieved, but noise level increases to 65 dB or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the impeller from the traditional enclosed blower housing and positions it in an open configuration where the housing does not completely surround the impeller. This extraction of the impeller from full enclosure reduces noise by allowing sound to dissipate rather than being trapped and amplified by the housing, while maintaining sufficient gas pressurization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature optimization to the impeller vanes, specifically configuring the vane curvature radius to be between 0.05-0.15 inches. This curved geometry reduces turbulence and vortex formation, thereby reducing noise generation while maintaining effective gas pressurization. The curved surfaces guide gas flow more smoothly compared to sharp-edged designs.
2Measurement precision
If precise gas flow control is implemented for custom gas mixtures, then accurate delivery to neonatal patients is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow control mechanisms with a magnetic field-based actuation system. A drive coil generates a magnetic field that moves a seal within a valve orifice, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, gears, or cam mechanisms. This substitution maintains precise flow control while reducing mechanical complexity and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a detection coil monitors the position of the drive coil in real-time. This feedback allows the control system to precisely adjust the seal position and maintain accurate gas flow rates. The feedback mechanism enables precise control without requiring overly complex open-loop control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular components are used for different patient sizes, then adaptability to neonatal and adult patients is improved, but assembly and configuration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ventilator into modular components including interchangeable flow cassettes that can be configured for different patient sizes (neonatal, pediatric, adult). Each cassette contains the necessary flow control and sensing components pre-assembled. This segmentation allows rapid exchange of cassettes to adapt to different patients without reconfiguring the entire system, reducing setup time while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal interface standards and control architecture that work across all patient size configurations. The same basic control system and housing can accommodate multiple cassette types through standardized connections. This universality allows a single ventilator unit to serve multiple patient populations without requiring separate dedicated machines, balancing adaptability with efficient configuration.
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
The solution reduces noise and ensures accurate, customizable gas delivery, improving patient comfort and caregiver efficiency by providing quiet operation and precise flow control for various gas mixtures.
Implementation Method 1
a drive coil configured to move within a fixed magnetic field in response to a low frequency signal
Implementation Method 2
a detection coil adjacent the drive coil and configured to detect the high frequency signal in the drive coil
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
Described herein is a modular ventilator. The ventilator has modular flow control devices, which are connected to fluid inlet adapters. The modular flow control devices have sensors for controlling fluid flow through the modular flow control devices. The fluid inlet adapters are removable, and can include magnetic indicators, and the ventilator can identify the fluid from the magnetic indicator. The ventilator can also contain or be connected to a device having a low-noise blower.