Open-Circuit Liquid Ventilator with Disposable PFC Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid ventilation systems, particularly for treating respiratory distress syndrome in preterm and very low birth weight infants, face challenges in maintaining effective lung recruitment and conditioning due to issues with PFC liquid distribution, evaporation, and drug delivery, especially in immature or injured lungs, leading to persistent morbidity and chronic lung disease.
Innovation Solution
An open-circuit liquid ventilation system using a pre-conditioned PFC liquid, which is not recycled, is introduced, featuring a supply reservoir, interface valve system, pump, and microprocessor control for monitoring and controlling pressure and volume parameters, allowing for rapid recruitment and conditioning of the pulmonary system with improved drug delivery and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If closed-circuit liquid ventilation systems are used to provide prolonged ventilatory support, then duration of action is improved, but device complexity and risk of contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a disposable liquid ventilation circuit (containing the breathable liquid and patient interface) and a reusable control system. This segmentation allows the circuit to be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex sterilization and regeneration systems while still providing prolonged ventilatory support through continuous liquid circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid ventilation circuit is designed as a disposable, single-use component that is discarded after one patient or one use. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, and regeneration systems required in reusable closed-circuit systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to provide prolonged ventilatory support.
2Productivity
If PFC liquid is circulated in closed-circuit systems, then gas exchange efficiency is improved, but risk of bacterial growth and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid ventilation circuit containing the PFC liquid is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use. This eliminates the risk of bacterial growth and contamination associated with recirculating liquids in closed-circuit systems, while still maintaining efficient gas exchange during the duration of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathable liquid and patient interface components are extracted from the permanent system and placed in a disposable circuit. This separation allows the liquid to be used for efficient gas exchange during the treatment period while eliminating the risk of contamination that would occur if the liquid were recirculated and stored in the system.
3Reliability
If complex closed-circuit systems with filtration and regeneration are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid ventilation circuit is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex filtration, sterilization, and regeneration systems required to maintain reliability in reusable closed-circuit systems, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining reliable ventilatory support during the treatment period.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathable liquid is pre-filled and pre-prepared in the disposable circuit before use. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site filtration and regeneration systems, as the circuit is ready for immediate use and is discarded after single use, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If breathable liquid is instilled into pulmonary system for lung recruitment, then lung function is improved, but risk of pulmonary trauma from improper distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control of liquid delivery through a pump and control unit that adjust the flow rate and distribution of breathable liquid in real-time. This dynamic control ensures proper distribution throughout the pulmonary system, achieving effective lung recruitment while preventing pulmonary trauma from improper or excessive liquid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors parameters such as airway pressure and liquid flow, and uses this feedback to adjust the pump operation and liquid delivery. This feedback mechanism ensures that the breathable liquid is distributed properly throughout the lungs, achieving effective recruitment while preventing pulmonary trauma from over-pressurization or improper distribution.
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 open-circuit system enables efficient and controlled recruitment and conditioning of the lungs, reducing morbidity and chronic lung disease by providing uniform PFC liquid distribution and effective gas exchange, while minimizing evaporation and pulmonary trauma, and allowing for targeted drug delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a pump adapted to deliver the breathable liquid from the reservoir to the patient
Implementation Method 2
a liquid (i.e., a non-gas) having the ability to deliver oxygen into, and to remove carbon dioxide from, the pulmonary system of a patient
Implementation Method 3
PFC liquids have low surface tension and, for the most part, low viscosity
Data Source
AI summary
An open-circuit liquid ventilation system includes a reservoir containing a breathable liquid, a patient interface receiving breathable liquid from the reservoir, a pump directing breathable liquid from the reservoir to the patient, a controller for the pump, and a tank for storing used breathable liquid. The system may be passive regarding expired liquid. Alternatively, the system may be active and include a bypass line connected to the pump such that used breathable liquid is drawn from the patient. The patient interface may be adapted to interface a gas ventilation system to facilitate a rapid conversion from gas to liquid ventilation. The system may include sensors monitoring pressure and volume parameters and may include an output displaying information including schematics and real time tracings regarding a ventilation procedure.