Exhaled Breath n-Octane Detection for ARDS Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients are invasive, expose patients to radiation, and lack non-invasive, frequent monitoring options, leading to delayed diagnosis and increased morbidity and mortality.

Innovation Solution

Measuring the content of n-octane in exhaled breath using a gas sample to determine if a patient has or may develop ARDS, with optional validation using acetaldehyde and 3-methylheptane, and integrating this analysis into a system with a sampling device, measuring unit, controller, and user interface for timely and accurate ARDS indication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If chest X-ray is used for ARDS diagnosis, then diagnosis accuracy is improved, but patients are exposed to radiation doses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/radiation-based chest X-ray system with a chemical sensing system that measures n-octane concentration in exhaled breath. This substitution eliminates radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic capability through biochemical detection of lung injury markers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If airway suction or lavage is used for early detection, then detection timing is improved, but the methods are invasive and harmful to the patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection timingVSAvoidinvasiveness and patient harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical procedures (airway suction and lavage) with a non-invasive chemical analysis of exhaled breath. This substitution eliminates patient harm while achieving early detection through measurement of n-octane, a biomarker released during lung injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses exhaled breath as an intermediary medium to detect lung injury. Instead of directly sampling lung tissue or fluid through invasive procedures, the system analyzes volatile organic compounds (n-octane) that are excreted through breath, providing indirect but safe access to pathological information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If current methods are used for ARDS detection, then diagnosis is possible, but frequent monitoring is not suitable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous monitoring by designing a breath analysis system that can be repeatedly applied without cumulative harm. Unlike invasive procedures that require recovery time, breath sampling is instantaneous and harmless, allowing continuous measurement of n-octane levels to track ARDS development in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3107448B1Method of detecting ARDS and systems for detecting ards

Publication Date: 2019.10.02 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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AI summary

The invention is directed to a system and method for providing an ARDS indication of a patient comprising a sampling device for obtaining a gas sample of the exhaled breath of a patient, a measuring unit for measuring a content of n-octane in the exhaled breath of a patient, a controller which is able to distinguish if the patient has or may develop ARDS based on the content of n-octanein the exhaled breath of a patient resulting in a ARDS indication of the patient and provided with a protocol for providing output regarding the ARDS indication of the patient, and a user interface for indicating the ARDS indication to a user.