Phrenic Nerve Stimulation Synchronization With Mechanical Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems face challenges in synchronizing electrical or electromagnetic stimulation of the nervous system with spontaneous breathing, leading to asynchrony and undesired muscle stimulation during certain phases of the breathing cycle, particularly in pressure-controlled and volume-controlled ventilation modes.
Innovation Solution
A system and process that adaptively synchronize electrical or electromagnetic stimulation of the nervous system, specifically targeting the phrenic nerve, using information from pressure and flow rate sensors to align with the ventilation pattern, ensuring synchronization with both pressure-controlled and volume-controlled modes, and avoiding stimulation during exhalation phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical or electromagnetic stimulation is applied to the nervous system to support breathing, then spontaneous breathing activity can be maintained or enhanced, but asynchrony between stimulation and ventilation occurs leading to undesired muscle stimulation during exhalation phases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from ventilation parameters (pressure, flow rate, volume) to dynamically adjust the timing and characteristics of neural stimulation. Sensors monitor the breathing cycle phase, and the control unit modifies stimulation delivery to ensure it occurs only during appropriate phases (inspiration or pause), preventing stimulation during exhalation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by making stimulation reliability dependent on real-time ventilation status.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation system dynamically adapts its operating parameters based on the detected breathing phase and ventilation mode. The stimulation timing, duration, and intensity are continuously adjusted to match the dynamic nature of the breathing cycle. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable synchronization while avoiding fixed timing patterns that could cause harmful stimulation during exhalation phases.
2Reliability
If stimulation is synchronized with ventilation to support spontaneous breathing, then coordination between stimulator and ventilator is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple capabilities into a unified platform. The same sensor system used for ventilation monitoring also provides feedback for stimulation synchronization. The control unit handles both ventilation parameter analysis and stimulation timing decisions. This universal approach improves breathing support coordination while minimizing the addition of separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the stimulation control system with the ventilation monitoring system. Rather than treating them as separate entities, the system combines sensor inputs, processing logic, and control outputs into an integrated architecture. This merging reduces the number of independent subsystems and interfaces, improving coordination between stimulation and ventilation while controlling overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If adaptive stimulation is implemented to prevent asynchrony, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but measurement and control difficulty increases due to need for real-time parameter monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the ventilation system's own existing parameters (pressure, flow rate, volume) as feedback signals for stimulation control. Rather than requiring external or additional measurement systems, the stimulation timing is determined by self-monitoring of the ventilation cycle itself. This self-service approach improves ventilation efficiency through adaptive stimulation while avoiding the complexity of external measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that translates ventilation parameters into stimulation timing decisions. Rather than directly measuring neural or muscular responses, the system uses ventilation parameters as intermediate indicators of breathing phase. This intermediary approach simplifies measurement requirements compared to direct neural monitoring while still achieving accurate stimulation synchronization for improved ventilation efficiency.
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 asynchrony between the patient and the ventilator, enhances spontaneous breathing support, and prevents undesired muscle stimulation, improving the efficiency and safety of ventilation processes across various ventilation modes.
Implementation Method 1
electrical or electromagnetic stimulation of the nervous system, specifically targeting the phrenic nerve
Implementation Method 2
electromagnetic or electrical ventilation may take place independently as well as synchronized with the spontaneous breathing
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a process for carry out a stimulation of the nervous system for ventilating a living being (33) on the basis of information (45) provided. Data and/or measured values (44) in relation to a state of ventilation of the living being (33) or an operating state of a ventilator (20) are used in order to bring about the manner of stimulation.