Portable Ventilator Universal Host Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients requiring respiratory support face challenges during transfers between ventilators, including disruptions in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and increased risk of nosocomial infections due to repeated disconnections and connections.
Innovation Solution
A portable ventilator system that can removably connect to various hosts, allowing it to switch seamlessly between using a portable gas source and a host gas source, thereby maintaining continuous ventilation and minimizing disconnections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a patient is transferred between different ventilator systems (anesthesia ventilator to ICU ventilator), then the patient can receive appropriate respiratory support for different settings, but the patient must be disconnected from one ventilator before connection to another, causing disruption in ventilation support and exposing the airway to pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
The portable ventilator is designed with universal functionality to operate in multiple settings - it can function as both a transport ventilator and an ICU ventilator, and can connect to different gas sources (portable oxygen tanks or wall gas outlets). This multi-functionality allows the same device to adapt to different ventilation requirements without requiring patient disconnection, thereby maintaining continuous ventilation support while providing adaptability to various clinical settings.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a patient is transferred between different ventilator systems, then the patient can receive appropriate respiratory support for different settings, but repeated disconnections and connections increase the risk of nosocomial infections
Solution Approach 1:
The portable ventilator serves as a universal device that can replace both anesthesia and ICU ventilators. Its ability to connect to either portable gas sources or wall gas outlets, and to interface with different patient connections, allows it to maintain continuous ventilation across different clinical settings without requiring patient disconnection, thereby reducing pathogen exposure risk.
3Ease of operation
If a portable ventilator uses a portable gas source, then the ventilator can operate independently without host connection, but the delivery pressure is lower compared to host gas sources
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilator incorporates dynamic pressure regulation that automatically adjusts based on the connected gas source. When a portable gas source is connected, the system operates independently with appropriate pressure settings for portable delivery. When a host gas source is connected, the system dynamically switches to utilize the higher pressure available from the wall outlet, optimizing ventilation delivery based on the available resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilator system changes operational parameters based on the gas source being used. It monitors the available pressure from the connected gas source and adjusts its delivery parameters accordingly - operating in independent mode with portable gas source parameters, or switching to host-integrated mode with wall gas source parameters, thereby adapting pressure delivery to match the capabilities of the connected gas source.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the portable ventilator is designed to connect to multiple hosts, then the ventilator can be used in various settings, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilator system is segmented into distinct functional modules - a portable gas source interface, a host gas source interface, and a central control unit. This segmentation allows each module to be independently designed and connected through standardized interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining compatibility with multiple hosts. The modular architecture enables the ventilator to adapt to different settings without requiring complex integrated designs.
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 system ensures continuous ventilation support for patients, maintains consistent PEEP levels during transfers, and reduces the risk of nosocomial infections by minimizing exposure to pathogens during connections and disconnections.
Implementation Method 1
a ventilation drive configured to drive ventilation gas from a gas source to a patient
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilator includes a ventilation drive configured to drive ventilation gas from a gas source to a patient and a patient interface section configured to guide inspiratory gas from the ventilation drive to a patient connection, receive expiratory gas from the patient connection, and expel the expiratory gas out of the ventilator. The ventilation drive and patient interface section are configured to removably connect to at least one host comprising a ventilation path portion so as to divert the inspiratory gas through the ventilation path portion of the host when connected thereto.