Patient Transfer Device Maintains PEEP During Ventilator Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in transferring patients receiving respiratory support between ventilators without disrupting the lung recruitment therapy, as disconnection and reconnection lead to loss of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), causing recruited alveoli to collapse and requiring re-recruitment procedures, which can take hours or days.

Innovation Solution

A patient transfer device with inspiratory and expiratory valves that maintain a closed pneumatic system and pressure during transfer, using a pressure reservoir to sustain PEEP and store gas for re-pressurization, ensuring continuous respiratory support and minimizing lung volume loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the patient is disconnected from one ventilator and reconnected to another, then the patient can be transferred between respiratory support devices, but the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is lost causing recruited alveoli to collapse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient transfer capabilityVSAvoidlung volume maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transfer device with a closed pneumatic system acts as an intermediary between ventilators during patient transfer. The system includes a patient connection interface, inspiratory and expiratory connections, and valves that maintain a sealed environment, allowing the patient to be transferred while preserving lung recruitment and PEEP levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer device is pre-configured with a closed pneumatic system and functional valves before transfer begins. This preliminary setup ensures that the system is ready to maintain PEEP and lung volume from the moment disconnection occurs, preventing alveolar collapse before it can happen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a basic ventilator unit is used for transfer, then the ventilator can be moved with the patient, but the ventilator unit is cumbersome to transport and has limited functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilator mobilityVSAvoidtransport difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the transfer function from the ventilator unit itself. The transfer device is a standalone module with a closed pneumatic system that can be independently manipulated, while the ventilators remain stationary. This segmentation allows complex ventilator functionality to be maintained without requiring movement of the entire ventilator system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the patient is transferred between ventilators using conventional methods, then the transfer can be completed, but re-recruitment procedures are required which take hours or days

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer completionVSAvoidre-recruitment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The closed pneumatic system with inspiratory and expiratory valves maintains continuous positive pressure and sealed environment throughout the transfer process. This continuity preserves lung recruitment and PEEP levels, eliminating the need for time-consuming re-recruitment procedures that would otherwise be required after conventional disconnection and reconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 device maintains recruited lung volume and PEEP during transfer, allowing for seamless continuation of respiratory support without the need for re-recruitment procedures, thereby preserving physiological gains and reducing the duration of therapy.

Implementation Method 1

maintain a closed pneumatic system and pressure during transfer, using a pressure reservoir to sustain PEEP

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

using a pressure reservoir to sustain PEEP and store gas for re-pressurization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure reservoir: Hydraulic Accumulator

Data Source

PatentUS10471229B2Respiratory support system and patient transfer device therefor

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A patient transfer device is configured for use with at least one host device which is capable of providing respiratory support to a patient. The patient transfer device includes an inspiratory port and an expiratory port which are configured to pneumatically connect to the host. An inspiratory connection is pneumatically connected to the inspiratory port and an expiratory connection is pneumatically connected to the expiratory port. An inspiratory valve is coupled between the inspiratory port and the inspiratory connection and expiratory valve is coupled between the expiratory port and the expiratory connection. The inspiratory valve and the expiratory valve are operable between first configurations that permit flow there though and second configurations that occlude flow through the valves. The inspiratory valve and the expiratory valve are configured to operate in the second configuration when the patient transfer device is disconnected from the at least one host device.