Patient Interface Pressure Control Using an Expiratory Vent Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory devices face challenges with discomfort, poor fit, noise, and inefficiency due to inadequate venting and pressure control, leading to reduced patient compliance and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A vent valve system that selectively blocks fluid communication between components, using an expiratory flow model to determine and adjust pressure in the patient interface, incorporating a variable vent and valve to optimize airflow and reduce noise and energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient interface is designed to provide effective respiratory therapy, then therapy efficacy is improved, but patient comfort and ease of use deteriorate due to poor fit and discomfort during extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pressure control system that adjusts therapy pressure in real-time based on patient respiratory characteristics. The controller modifies pressure settings during operation to match patient needs, improving comfort while maintaining therapy efficacy. This dynamic adjustment prevents discomfort from fixed pressure settings and allows effective therapy delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller receives data about patient respiratory patterns and adjusts pressure accordingly. By continuously monitoring patient response and modifying therapy parameters based on observed characteristics, the system maintains both comfort and efficacy throughout extended wear periods.
2Reliability
If the respiratory device operates at high pressure to maximize therapy effectiveness, then therapy pressure is improved, but noise and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure levels based on actual patient needs rather than operating at continuously high pressure. The controller modifies pressure settings in response to patient respiratory characteristics, maintaining effective therapy pressure when needed while reducing pressure (and associated noise) during periods when maximum pressure is not required, thus lowering overall energy consumption and noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (pressure levels) based on patient characteristics and therapy requirements. By varying pressure parameters rather than maintaining fixed high pressure, the system achieves effective therapy delivery while minimizing noise and energy consumption during periods when full pressure is not necessary.
3Reliability
If the respiratory device operates at high pressure to maximize therapy effectiveness, then therapy pressure is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure levels based on actual patient needs rather than operating at continuously high pressure. The controller modifies pressure settings in response to patient respiratory characteristics, maintaining effective therapy pressure when needed while reducing pressure during periods when maximum pressure is not required, thus lowering overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (pressure levels) based on patient characteristics and therapy requirements. By varying pressure parameters rather than maintaining fixed high pressure, the system achieves effective therapy delivery while minimizing energy consumption during periods when full pressure is not necessary.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a vent valve is used to reduce noise and energy consumption, then harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent valve system is designed to automatically respond to patient respiratory patterns without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The valve operates based on inherent pressure differentials and patient breathing characteristics, reducing noise and energy consumption through self-regulating behavior rather than requiring complex active control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses an apparatus for controlling a supply of breathable gas at a positive pressure for amelioration or treatment of a respiratory disorder comprising: a controller adapted to control setting of a therapy apparatus for providing a supply of breathable gas, the therapy apparatus adapted to couple with a patient interface to deliver the supply of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, the patient interface adapted with (a) a valve configured to selectively block fluid communication between a blower of the therapy apparatus and the patient interface, and (b) a vent to exhaust a flow of exhaust gas from the patient interface; the controller configured to: determine an expiratory characteristic; and adjust a first pressure in the patient interface based on the expiratory characteristic by controlling the valve.