Pulmonary Gas Exchange Ventilation With Dead Space Minimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems for children and smaller patients face challenges with increased dead space and flow resistance due to the need for a minimum cross-section in breathing tubes, which is not suitable for smaller patients, especially when using filters like Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HMEs) for infection protection.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system with a dead space minimization system that includes two separately controllable pump units, where one pump unit is connected between the filter and the patient interface, eliminating the need for tubing through the trachea, and the second pump unit is connected to the nasal or pharyngeal cavity for non-invasive ventilation, allowing for effective dead space minimization without increasing resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter (HME) is used for infection protection, then infection protection is improved, but dead space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the CO2 measurement function from the main breathing circuit by placing a CO2 sensor directly in the breathing tube at the patient's airway. This allows accurate CO2 monitoring without requiring measurement through the filter, thereby maintaining infection protection while eliminating the need to increase dead space for measurement purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a separate CO2 sensor as an intermediary device that directly measures CO2 in the patient's airway. This mediator enables accurate CO2 monitoring without involving the filter in the measurement process, thus preserving both infection protection and minimizing dead space
2Adaptability or versatility
If tubing cross-section is reduced for smaller patients, then adaptability is improved, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different cross-section dimensions to different parts of the breathing circuit. The main breathing tube maintains sufficient cross-section for low flow resistance, while the dead space minimization system uses separate, smaller-diameter tubing that does not impede main airflow. This local differentiation allows small patient adaptation without compromising overall flow characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the breathing circuit into separate functional pathways: the main ventilation pathway with adequate cross-section for low resistance, and the dead space minimization pathway with its own tubing. This segmentation allows each pathway to be optimized independently - the main pathway for flow efficiency and the auxiliary pathway for dead space reduction
3Volume of stationary object
If dead space minimization system is added, then dead space is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dead space minimization system with the existing ventilation circuit by integrating pump units and tubing into the breathing circuit. The CO2 sensor is also integrated into the breathing tube structure. This merging approach reduces dead space while avoiding the need for entirely separate, complex systems
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 effectively reduces dead space and minimizes flow resistance, enabling the use of filters for infection protection while maintaining reliable CO2 measurement and reducing turbulence, making it suitable for children and adults.
Implementation Method 1
The first of the two pump units of the dead space minimization system is connected to the patient's side upstream of the Y-piece of the ventilation system via another flexible tube and aspirates or pumps slightly later, but otherwise in the opposite direction to the second pump unit
Implementation Method 2
a pump device connected to the second tube for generating an adjustable positive pressure in the second tube
Implementation Method 3
The filter is specifically a filter with HME (Heat Medication Extraction) functionality
Implementation Method 4
The filter is specifically a filter with HME (Heat Medication Extraction) functionality
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1) for supporting the pulmonary gas exchange in patients (2), comprising a ventilator system (3) that has a filter (8) in the conduit system (15) of the ventilator system (3) and that is coupled to a dead space reducing system (17). In order to be able to use such a system (1) in particular also for children patients, the second of two pump units (37) is fluidically connected in the region between the filter (8) and the patient interface (13).