Automated Oxygen Therapy Device With Predictive Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxygen therapy systems require manual adjustment of oxygen flow rates, which can lead to inconsistent administration, wasting medical supplies or exposing patients to harm due to fluctuating physiological needs, and lack adaptive automation to respond to changing patient conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a flow controller connected to physiological sensors that analyzes measured parameters to predict oxygen saturation levels and adjusts the oxygen flow rate automatically to maintain a target level, incorporating a bypass system for emergency manual control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual control of oxygen flow rate is used, then device complexity is reduced, but oxygen delivery precision deteriorates due to inability to respond to fluctuating patient needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses physiological sensors to automatically monitor patient oxygen saturation and adjusts oxygen flow rate without manual intervention. The controller receives sensor data, predicts oxygen saturation trends, and autonomously modifies flow rate to maintain target levels, enabling the system to self-regulate based on real-time patient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors oxygen saturation via physiological sensors and uses this feedback to adjust oxygen flow rate. The controller analyzes sensor readings, compares them against target values, and modifies flow rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing patient needs.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated adjustment of oxygen flow rate is implemented, then oxygen delivery precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses physiological sensors to automatically monitor patient oxygen saturation and adjusts oxygen flow rate without manual intervention. The controller receives sensor data, predicts oxygen saturation trends, and autonomously modifies flow rate to maintain target levels, enabling the system to self-regulate based on real-time patient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical control with electronic automation. Instead of requiring physical adjustment of flow rate by healthcare providers, the system uses electronic sensors to detect oxygen saturation and electronic controllers to automatically adjust flow rate, substituting mechanical operations with automated electronic control.
3Ease of operation
If manual oxygen flow rate adjustment is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity decreases due to wasted medical supplies from excessive flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors oxygen saturation via physiological sensors and uses this feedback to adjust oxygen flow rate. The controller analyzes sensor readings, compares them against target values, and modifies flow rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing patient needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system predicts future oxygen saturation levels based on current trends and proactively adjusts flow rate before hypoxia or hyperoxia occurs. By anticipating changes in patient oxygen needs and pre-adjusting flow rate, the system prevents both insufficient and excessive oxygen delivery, optimizing supply efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for administering oxygen therapy to a patient comprises a gas intake valve; a primary flow path connecting the gas intake valve to a gas output connector, the primary flow path comprising a flow controller configured to adjust a first flow rate through the primary flow path, wherein the flow controller is in electronic communication with a processor and memory; at least one physiological sensor communicatively coupled to the processor performing a method comprising: receiving a target oxygen saturation level; receiving at least one measured physiological parameter from the at least one physiological sensor; analyzing the at least one measured physiological parameter to determine a predicted oxygen saturation level of a patient for a first time window; and adjusting the first flow rate with the flow controller to bring the predicted oxygen saturation level within a threshold value of the target oxygen saturation level.