Nasal High-Flow Respiratory Air Delivery With Servo Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for respiratory conditions such as sleep disordered breathing and upper airway obstruction are limited in their ability to provide optimal airflow, temperature, and humidity levels, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in treating these conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device that delivers air at high flow rates (10-35 liters/minute) with controlled temperature (30°C to 37°C) and humidity (27-44 mg/liter) to the nasal passages, varying these parameters based on the respiratory cycle and using servo-control to maintain optimal conditions, with adjustable nasal dilators and swivels for comfort and efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high flow rate air is delivered to nasal passages, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to dryness and temperature discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting temperature and humidity levels of the delivered air based on real-time sensor feedback. The system modifies these physical parameters to maintain optimal comfort zones while preserving therapeutic flow rates, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control through sensors that continuously monitor temperature, humidity, and flow rate. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of heating and humidification elements to maintain comfortable conditions during high-flow delivery, eliminating dryness and temperature discomfort while preserving therapeutic effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If temperature and humidity are controlled to improve comfort, then device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using automated sensor-based control that adjusts temperature and humidity without requiring manual intervention. The embedded control system autonomously manages the complexity of parameter regulation, providing comfortable conditions while minimizing user burden despite the increased device complexity.
3Productivity
If flow rate is increased to treat respiratory conditions, then treatment efficacy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes energy consumption by dynamically adjusting the physical parameters of the delivered air (temperature and humidity) rather than simply increasing flow rate. This allows effective treatment at lower flow rates by modifying air properties, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining treatment efficacy.
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 device effectively treats respiratory conditions by providing personalized airflow, temperature, and humidity levels, enhancing patient comfort and therapeutic outcomes by maintaining optimal conditions during inhalation and exhalation phases.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element downstream of the flow generator in the breathable gas supply line
Implementation Method 2
a humidifier upstream of the heating element in the breathable gas supply line
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for providing respiratory therapy to a patient comprising a patient interface adapted to present a respiratory gas at an entrance to a patient's airways; an air delivery conduit connected to the patient interface; and an apparatus to provide a controllable supply of air having a flow rate, a temperature and a humidity. The apparatus is controlled to vary at least one of flow rate, temperature and humidity. Additionally, the apparatus is adapted to control gradual ramping of the flow rate of air from an initial flow rate to a therapy flow rate. The ramping of flow rate occurrs over a preset period of time while a therapy level of temperature and humidity of the air is maintained within a preset margin of deviation from a therapy level setting of temperature and humidity.