NO Supply Device Backup Circuit Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NO supply devices for treating pulmonary hypertension fail to maintain a consistent NO concentration during emergency or manual ventilation modes due to reliance on adjustable oxygen flow rates, leading to variable NO dosages that are therapeutically undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A NO supply device equipped with a control system using microprocessors, solenoid valves, and pneumatic valves to adjust NO flow rates independently of oxygen flow, ensuring a consistent NO concentration by calculating and controlling the NO/N2 mixture flow rate based on user input and oxygen flow measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a purely pneumatic emergency circuit is used to deliver fixed NO flow rate and adjustable oxygen flow rate, then the device can operate in emergency mode with manual ventilation bag, but the NO concentration of the resulting gas mixture varies depending on the oxygen flow rate set by the user, which is not desirable from a therapeutic point of view
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the NO flow rate based on the selected oxygen flow rate to maintain constant NO concentration. The microprocessor calculates the required NO flow rate in real-time and controls the NO flow control means accordingly, transforming the static fixed-flow emergency circuit into a dynamic system that adapts to maintain therapeutic consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of NO flow rate from fixed to variable, controlled by the microprocessor based on oxygen flow rate selection. This parameter change allows the system to maintain constant NO concentration (e.g., 21 ppmv) across different oxygen flow rates, resolving the contradiction between emergency mode adaptability and concentration stability.
2Ease of operation
If the NO supply device relies on adjustable oxygen flow rates to control gas delivery, then the device can accommodate different ventilation needs, but the NO concentration becomes variable leading to inconsistent therapeutic dosages
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the microprocessor receives the selected oxygen flow rate, calculates the required NO flow rate to maintain constant NO concentration, and adjusts the NO flow control means accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures precise NO dosage delivery regardless of oxygen flow rate changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the purely mechanical/pneumatic flow control system with an electronically controlled system using a microprocessor and electronic flow control means. This substitution enables precise calculation and adjustment of NO flow rate to maintain consistent concentration, improving dosage precision while preserving ventilation flexibility.
3Reliability
If a secondary pneumatic circuit is added to ensure NO supply during breakdown or manual ventilation, then the reliability of NO delivery is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can deliver NO during normal operation, during emergency breakdown scenarios, and during manual ventilation with BAVU. The microprocessor coordinates valve actions to route gas flows appropriately for different operational modes, making the secondary circuit universally applicable across all scenarios without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the emergency circuit with the main NO supply system, using shared components such as the common gas outlet, flow control means, and microprocessor control. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to having completely separate systems, while still ensuring NO supply continuity across all operational modes.
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 maintains precise NO dosages during normal, emergency, and manual ventilation modes, ensuring consistent therapeutic effects and patient safety by decoupling NO concentration from oxygen flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a second solenoid valve normally in the open position, said second solenoid valve being controlled by the control means
Implementation Method 2
the emergency NO line comprising a pneumatic valve for controlling the circulation of the NO/N 2 mixture in the emergency NO line
Implementation Method 3
calculating a flow rate of NO/N 2 mixture to be supplied corresponding to the desired NO content chosen by the user, controlling the NO/N 2 flow rate control means to supply the calculated flow rate of NO/N 2 mixture
Implementation Method 4
acting on the first solenoid valve to authorize the passage of the NO/N 2 flow from the downstream conduit portion of the main gas circuit, located downstream of the NO/N 2 flow rate control means, to a downstream part of the emergency NO line
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a NO supply device (1) comprising a main gas circuit (200) with NO/N2 flow control means (202) driven by pilot means (900), and a backup circuit (110, 120) comprising a backup NO circuit (110) and a backup Oz circuit (120). The pilot means (900) are configured, in particular, to control the NO/N2 flow control means (202) so as to regulate the flow rate of the NO/N2 mixture in the main gas circuit (200) and direct the resulting gas flow into a downstream portion of the backup NO circuit (110) which connects (130) to the backup Oz circuit (120), forming a common backup line (140) comprising a backup outlet (141).