NO Analysis Line Piezoelectric Pump for Stable Ventilator Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diaphragmatic pumps used for gas sampling in NO delivery devices cause fluctuations in flow rate and generate noise, disrupting ventilator performance and patient comfort due to auto-triggering and audible oscillations, particularly affecting newborn patients with low respiratory drive.

Innovation Solution

A piezoelectric suction pump is employed, controlled by electric field generation means to maintain a constant suction flow rate and operate at ultrasonic frequencies, minimizing oscillations and noise, and integrated with NO/NO2 sensors for precise gas composition analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a diaphragmatic pump is used for gas sampling, then gas can be collected at a controlled flow rate, but flow rate fluctuations occur causing ventilator auto-triggering and noise disruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas sampling flow rateVSAvoidventilator performance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical diaphragmatic pump with a piezoelectric pump that uses ultrasonic vibration to move gas molecules. This substitution eliminates the mechanical oscillations that cause flow rate fluctuations and ventilator auto-triggering, while maintaining the ability to control gas sampling flow rate through piezoelectric actuation frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameter from mechanical diaphragm oscillation frequency to piezoelectric ultrasonic frequency. By operating at ultrasonic frequencies (typically 20-100 kHz), the system achieves gas movement through molecular vibration rather than mechanical displacement, eliminating low-frequency oscillations that interfere with ventilator performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a diaphragmatic pump is used for gas sampling, then gas can be collected at a controlled flow rate, but audible noise is generated disrupting patient comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas sampling flow rateVSAvoidnoise disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical diaphragmatic pump with a piezoelectric pump that uses ultrasonic vibration to move gas molecules. This substitution eliminates the mechanical oscillations that cause flow rate fluctuations and ventilator auto-triggering, while maintaining the ability to control gas sampling flow rate through piezoelectric actuation frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameter from mechanical diaphragm oscillation frequency to piezoelectric ultrasonic frequency. By operating at ultrasonic frequencies (typically 20-100 kHz), the system achieves gas movement through molecular vibration rather than mechanical displacement, eliminating low-frequency oscillations that interfere with ventilator performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a piezoelectric pump operates at ultrasonic frequencies, then oscillations and noise are minimized, but the pump complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and oscillation levelVSAvoidpump system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical diaphragmatic pump with a piezoelectric pump that uses ultrasonic vibration to move gas molecules. This substitution eliminates the mechanical oscillations that cause flow rate fluctuations and ventilator auto-triggering, while maintaining the ability to control gas sampling flow rate through piezoelectric actuation frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 piezoelectric pump stabilizes gas flow, enhances ventilator performance by reducing auto-triggering, improves patient comfort by eliminating noise, and ensures accurate NO and NO2 concentration monitoring, suitable for treating pulmonary conditions in various patient populations.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric pump comprising at least one piezoelectric material selected from materials capable of deforming proportionally to an electric field applied to said piezoelectric material; and said piezoelectric material is subjected to said electric field generated by the electric field generation means so as to expand or contract under the effect of the applied electric field, thereby generating a phenomenon of suction or expulsion of gas by the piezoelectric pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

said piezoelectric material is subjected to said electric field generated by the electric field generation means so as to expand or contract under the effect of the applied electric field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric deformation: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

the control means are further configured to control electric field generation means configured to generate an electric field at an excitation frequency of at least approximately 20 kHz

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4537879B1No delivery apparatus including an analysis line with a piezoelectric pump
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 INOSYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP4537879B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4537879B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a NO delivery apparatus (1) comprising a main gas circuit for conveying a gas containing NO, in particular a NO/N2 mixture, an analysis line (110) comprising NO/NO2 measurement means (120, 121) configured to perform NO and/or NO2 concentration measurements within said analysis line (110), and control means (15) connected to said NO/NO2 measurement means (120, 121) and configured to process the NO and/or NO2 concentration measurements performed by said NO/NO2 measurement means (120, 121). Furthermore, the analysis line (110) comprises piezoelectric suction means (141) controlled by the control means (15).