Percussive Respiratory Valve Assembly with Adjustable Biasing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing percussive respiratory devices are inefficient in managing the cyclic rate of the valve assembly, leading to high consumption of pressurized input gas and increased resistance during exhalation, which can result in rebreathing of exhaled gases and inadequate secretion clearance in patients with chronic respiratory conditions.
Innovation Solution
A percussive respiratory device featuring a diaphragm functional surface and an incremental index knob that controls the biasing force, allowing for reproducible and predictable oscillatory performance, reducing gas consumption and exhalation resistance by adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the oscillatory action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing percussive respiratory devices are used to deliver high flow respiratory gas at high rates, then secretion clearance is improved, but gas consumption increases and exhalation resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses periodic oscillatory action through a valve assembly that opens and closes cyclically to deliver percussive breaths. The biasing force mechanism creates regular oscillations at controlled frequencies (typically 2-10 Hz), delivering therapeutic gas flow in pulsatile bursts rather than continuous flow, thereby reducing overall gas consumption while maintaining secretion clearance effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly incorporates a movable diaphragm with biasing force mechanisms that dynamically adjust the oscillatory characteristics. The system transitions from static gas delivery to dynamic pulsatile delivery, allowing the gas flow rate and pressure to vary cyclically to optimize both therapeutic effect and gas efficiency
2Productivity
If existing percussive respiratory devices operate with continuous high flow gas delivery, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but exhalation resistance increases causing rebreathing
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillatory valve assembly creates periodic cycles of inhalation and exhalation assistance. During the oscillatory cycle, the valve opens to assist inhalation and closes to facilitate passive exhalation, creating rhythmic pressure changes that reduce exhalation resistance and prevent rebreathing by synchronizing with the patient's natural respiratory cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing force mechanism on the diaphragm valve creates a self-regulating oscillatory system that responds to pressure differential feedback. The valve opens when inlet pressure exceeds the biasing force and closes when pressure equalizes, automatically adjusting to maintain optimal exhalation resistance and prevent rebreathing without requiring complex external control
3Device complexity
If the valve assembly cyclic rate is not properly controlled, then device complexity is reduced, but therapeutic performance becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing force mechanism allows adjustment of oscillatory parameters such as frequency and amplitude by changing the spring pre-compression or magnetic field strength. This provides controlled variability in therapeutic parameters while maintaining reproducible cyclic operation, enabling customization for different patient needs without increasing fundamental device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillatory valve assembly is self-regulating through the biasing force mechanism that automatically maintains cyclic operation. The system uses its own pressure differentials and elastic recoil to drive the oscillations, requiring minimal external control while ensuring reproducible therapeutic performance through inherent mechanical stability
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 improves secretion clearance and reduces the work of breathing by optimizing gas flow and pressure oscillations, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing gas consumption and exhalation resistance.
Implementation Method 1
A valve assembly includes a diaphragm functional surface and an incremental index knob. A pressurized gas source is in fluid communication with the valve assembly such that pressurized gas opens the valve assembly and stored pressure in the capacitor closes the valve assembly.
Implementation Method 2
The valve assembly may include a biasing force means performing work against the actionable diaphragm functional surface at a defined rate. An incremental index knob allows for finite adjustment of the rate by which the discharged gas of the pneumatic capacitor is exhausted.
Implementation Method 3
A percussive respiratory device featuring a diaphragm functional surface and an incremental index knob that controls the biasing force, allowing for reproducible and predictable oscillatory performance, reducing gas consumption and exhalation resistance by adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the oscillatory action.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly attached to a capacitor such that pressurizing the capacitor to a first positive pressure threshold induces the valve assembly to open, the pressurized air is released to the patient, and then as the pressure in the capacitor drops to a second pressure threshold the valve closes and the capacitor begins to build pressure until the first positive pressure threshold is achieved and the process repeats. Relative to the valve assembly and integrated therein, is an incrementally adjustable index knob to vary the rate of a biasing force performing work against the actionable valve face of the diaphragm functional surface to set the performance of the valve assembly, thereby increasing the potential for correct operation across a range of oscillating rates supporting a broad spectrum of patient therapies and types.