Oxygen Concentrator Pulsed PSA for Breathing-Synchronized Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxygen concentrators are bulky, energy inefficient, and fail to synchronize oxygen output with the user's breathing cycle, leading to waste oxygen production and inadequate oxygen delivery during high-demand situations.
Innovation Solution
A pulsed pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system that synchronizes oxygen production with the user's breathing cycle, producing oxygen only during the inhalation phase and ceasing production during exhalation, using a controller to manage valve operations and sensor feedback for precise oxygen delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous oxygen production is used in traditional oxygen concentrators, then oxygen supply is always available, but energy consumption increases and system size grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic oxygen production synchronized with the user's breathing cycle. The PSA system operates intermittently, producing oxygen only during inhalation phases rather than continuously, thereby reducing energy consumption while meeting actual oxygen demand requirements
2Reliability
If continuous oxygen production is used in traditional oxygen concentrators, then oxygen supply is always available, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
By switching from continuous to periodic operation mode synchronized with breathing cycles, the system can use smaller PSA beds and less robust components, thereby reducing overall device weight while maintaining adequate oxygen supply during inhalation phases
3Productivity
If traditional PSA systems are used, then oxygen production is continuous, but oxygen is wasted during exhalation phase when user does not need it
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses breathing detection feedback to synchronize oxygen production with actual user demand. By detecting inhalation phases and triggering oxygen delivery only during these periods, the system eliminates oxygen waste that occurs during exhalation when the user does not require supplemental oxygen
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic oxygen production synchronized with the user's breathing cycle. The PSA system operates intermittently, producing oxygen only during inhalation phases rather than continuously, thereby reducing energy consumption while meeting actual oxygen demand requirements
4Ease of operation
If portable oxygen concentrators are used, then mobility is improved compared to oxygen tanks, but device size and weight still impair mobility
Solution Approach 1:
By switching from continuous to periodic operation mode synchronized with breathing cycles, the system can use smaller PSA beds and less robust components, thereby reducing overall device weight while maintaining adequate oxygen supply during inhalation phases
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
This approach reduces the size, weight, and energy consumption of oxygen concentrators while ensuring optimal oxygen delivery, matching user demand and improving clinical efficacy for patients with chronic lung diseases.
Implementation Method 1
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is a cyclical adsorption process wherein inlet gas is pressurized and separated to produce a raffinate product. This adsorption process occurs when pressurized inlet gas interacts with a molecular sieve such as zeolite. Air is pressurized, and the nitrogen gas component of the inlet air is selectively adsorbed by the molecular sieve compared to the oxygen.
Implementation Method 2
Air is pressurized, and the nitrogen gas component of the inlet air is selectively adsorbed by the molecular sieve compared to the oxygen.
Implementation Method 3
This adsorbed gas is then desorbed by depressurizing the adsorbent bed, therein regenerating the adsorbent bed, allowing for additional product gas such as oxygen to be produced.
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen concentrator system including a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system that executes a PSA cycle to produce an oxygen enriched gas, a gas outlet airline that flows the oxygen enriched gas to a user of the oxygen concentrator, a cannula that receives breathing gas from the user, and a sensor in communication with the cannula and the PSA system. The sensor senses a breathing cycle of the user. The breathing cycle includes an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase and the exhalation phase includes a non-useful period succeeded by a pre-inhalation period. Each respective breath is immediately preceded in the breathing cycle by a preceding breath and is immediately succeeded in the breathing cycle by a succeeding breath. The PSA system actuates a flow of the oxygen enriched gas via the gas outlet airline after the start of inhalation.