Non-Invasive Jet Ventilator Interface for Compact PEEP and Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive ventilation systems are inefficient in terms of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) generation, lack optimal humidification, and are bulky, limiting patient mobility and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A patient ventilation interface with a jet nozzle, throat body, and nasal pillows that incorporates pressure sensing tubes and a controller to calculate mass flow, a muffler for noise reduction, and a heat and moisture exchanger for humidification, enabling efficient PEEP generation and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a jet-based interface with small diameter tubing is used, then patient mobility and comfort are improved, but the system becomes louder and lacks optimal humidification
Solution Approach 1:
A muffler is introduced as an intermediary component between the jet nozzle and the patient interface. The muffler reduces noise generated by the high-velocity gas flow through the jet nozzle while maintaining the mobility benefits of the small-diameter tubing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) that changes the thermal and humidity parameters of the breathable gas. The HME heats and humidifies the gas to optimal levels, resolving the issue of inadequate humidification while maintaining the compact jet-based interface.
2Ease of operation
If a jet-based interface with small diameter tubing is used, then patient mobility is improved, but the system lacks the capability to measure tidal volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical flow measurement devices with pressure-based sensing tubes and electronic measurement. Pressure sensors measure pressure differentials across the jet nozzle, and a flow calculator computes tidal volume from these pressure measurements, enabling accurate measurement in the mobile jet-based system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If extant mask-based systems are used, then stable pressure delivery is achieved, but the systems are bulky and confine the patient to a fixed location
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential pressure delivery function from the bulky mask-based system and implements it through a compact jet nozzle mechanism. The jet nozzle generates stable positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) through controlled gas flow, eliminating the need for large reservoirs and complex pressure regulation mechanisms.
4Stress or pressure
If extant PEEP generation methods are used, then adequate pressure support is provided, but the systems are wasteful of patient gas
Solution Approach 1:
The jet nozzle system generates PEEP by utilizing the patient's own exhaled gas flow. The system self-regulates pressure by controlling the jet flow rate, eliminating the need for additional gas sources or complex pressure support mechanisms that would consume extra patient gas.
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 system provides efficient PEEP generation, maintains patient comfort and mobility, and ensures optimal humidification while allowing for accurate mass flow measurement and supplemental oxygen delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a jet nozzle and a throat body arranged to receive ventilation gas output by the jet nozzle
Implementation Method 2
the combined flow of gas including the ventilation gas received by the throat body from the jet nozzle and entrained ambient air received by the throat body via the gas inlet
Implementation Method 3
a first pressure sensing tube having a pressure sensing port positioned within the throat body downstream of the jet nozzle and a second pressure sensing tube having a pressure sensing port positioned within the throat body downstream of the pressure sensing port of the first pressure sensing tube
Implementation Method 4
a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) downstream of the gas outlet of the throat body and upstream of the pair of nasal pillows
Implementation Method 5
a muffler surrounding the gas inlet of the throat body
Data Source
AI summary
A patient ventilation interface comprises a jet nozzle and a throat body that is arranged to receive ventilation gas output by the jet nozzle. The throat body defines a gas inlet and a gas outlet, with the gas inlet being open to ambient air. The patient ventilation interface further comprises a first pressure sensing tube having a pressure sensing port positioned within the throat body downstream of the jet nozzle and a second pressure sensing tube having a pressure sensing port positioned within the throat body downstream of the pressure sensing port of the first pressure sensing tube. A controller may be configured to calculate a mass flow based on pressure measurements taken at the pressure sensing ports of the first and second pressure sensing tubes.