Oxygen Concentrator Bypass Mixing for Ventilator Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable oxygen concentrators are inadequate for providing combined supplemental oxygen and ventilation therapy, particularly for patients requiring high flow rates and pressures, as they often lack the capability to meet the specific needs of patients undergoing ventilation therapy, and existing systems fail to accurately adjust oxygen concentration and flow rates to match patient demands.
Innovation Solution
An oxygen concentrator system with a bypass flow path and valve control mechanism that allows ambient air to mix with concentrated oxygen, enabling adjustable oxygen concentration and flow rates to meet varying patient needs, integrated with a ventilator to dynamically control gas delivery based on patient activity levels and ventilation requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If portable oxygen concentrators use pressure swing adsorption to produce enriched oxygen gas, then oxygen concentration is improved, but flow rate and pressure output are insufficient for ventilation therapy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oxygen concentrator with a gas amplifier that includes a bellows and nozzle assembly. The concentrator produces concentrated oxygen gas, which then drives the bellows to amplify the total gas flow volume. This merging allows the system to achieve both high oxygen concentration and high total flow rate simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between oxygen concentration and flow rate output.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows acts as an intermediary mechanism between the oxygen concentrator and the patient interface. It receives the concentrated oxygen from the concentrator and transforms it into a larger volume of gas flow while maintaining appropriate oxygen concentration, thereby mediating the discrepancy between the concentrator's output capabilities and the ventilation therapy requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing portable oxygen concentrators are designed for supplemental oxygen therapy, then portability is improved, but they cannot meet the specific needs of patients requiring combined ventilation and oxygen therapy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system where the same portable device can provide both supplemental oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation therapy. The oxygen concentrator serves as the gas source for the ventilator through the gas amplifier connection, allowing one device to perform multiple therapeutic functions. This multi-functionality improves adaptability without requiring separate dedicated devices for each therapy type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the ventilator can adjust ventilation parameters and the oxygen concentrator can modulate oxygen delivery in real-time based on patient needs. The electronic control system dynamically coordinates the operation of both the concentrator and ventilator components, enabling flexible adaptation to varying clinical requirements while managing system complexity through intelligent coordination.
3Productivity
If patients require high flow rates for ventilation therapy during exercise, then ventilation effectiveness is improved, but existing concentrators cannot provide sufficient flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oxygen concentrator with a gas amplifier system that includes a bellows and nozzle. The concentrator produces concentrated oxygen that drives the bellows mechanism, which amplifies the total gas flow volume. This combination enables the system to deliver high flow rates (up to 40-60 L/min) while maintaining adequate oxygen concentration (21-100% FiO2), resolving the contradiction between flow rate and oxygen concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows serves as an intermediary that transforms the concentrated oxygen flow into a larger volume of breathable gas. It receives the concentrated oxygen from the concentrator and mechanically amplifies it to achieve the high flow rates required during exercise, while the nozzle assembly ensures proper gas delivery to the patient interface.
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 effectively delivers a range of oxygen concentrations and flow rates suitable for both stationary and active patients, enhancing portability and safety by integrating with a ventilator to provide precise oxygen therapy and ventilation support.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion of ambient air equal to or greater than no ambient air mixes with concentrated oxygen gas output by one or more sieve beds of the oxygen concentrator
Implementation Method 2
a compressor operable to pressurize ambient air
Implementation Method 3
a valve unit operable to selectively allow flow of pressurized ambient air from the compressor along the one or more sieve bed flow paths and along the bypass flow path
Implementation Method 4
a first portion of ambient air equal to or greater than no ambient air mixes with concentrated oxygen gas output by one or more sieve beds of the oxygen concentrator
Implementation Method 5
mixes with concentrated oxygen gas output by one or more sieve beds of the oxygen concentrator
Data Source
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AI summary
An oxygen concentrator includes one or more adsorbent sieve beds operable to remove nitrogen from air to produce concentrated oxygen gas at respective outlets thereof, a product tank fluidly coupled to the respective outlets of the sieve bed(s), a compressor operable to pressurize ambient air, one or more sieve bed flow paths from the compressor to respective inlets of the sieve bed(s), a bypass flow path from the compressor to the product tank that bypasses the sieve bed(s), and a valve unit operable to selectively allow flow of pressurized ambient air from the compressor along the one or more sieve bed flow paths and along the bypass flow path in response to a control signal. The valve unit may be controlled in response to a command issued by a ventilator based on a calculated or estimated total flow of gas and entrained air or %FiO2 of a patient.