Radial Fan Ventilation Apparatus with Bidirectional Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ventilators are complex, expensive, and require significant technical effort and clinical resources, making them unsuitable for widespread use, especially during pandemic situations where cost-effective and simple ventilation solutions are needed.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation device equipped with a radial fan that provides adjustable ventilation pressure through control of the fan's power and speed, featuring a simplified design with a bidirectional flow path and integrated sensor technology for automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ventilators use proportional valves and complex control systems to adjust pressure levels, then ventilation control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex proportional valve system from conventional ventilators. Instead of using valves to control pressure, the invention uses a radial fan that directly generates the required pressure levels through its rotation, thereby removing unnecessary components while maintaining ventilation control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The radial fan serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates positive pressure during inspiration, enables passive expiration through its design characteristics, and provides the driving force for the entire ventilation system. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate pressure control valves and reduces overall system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ventilators integrate multiple active components into control units, then ventilation functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure generation function and the driving function into a single radial fan component. By combining these functions that would traditionally require separate valves and control mechanisms, the invention reduces the number of parts needed and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining full ventilation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The radial fan is designed to automatically provide both inspiration pressure and facilitate expiration through its inherent characteristics. The system uses the fan's own operation to achieve both ventilation phases without requiring additional active components or complex control units, thereby reducing manufacturing costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ventilators use dual flow measurement sensors, then diagnostic options are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single flow sensor in the radial fan system serves multiple diagnostic functions: it measures inspiration flow, expiration flow, detects mask leaks, and monitors patient breathing patterns. This multi-functional use of one sensor provides comprehensive diagnostic capabilities without requiring multiple separate sensors, thereby reducing device complexity
4Reliability
If conventional ventilators are designed for specific applications, then performance for that application is improved, but adaptability to different situations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial fan system enables dynamic adjustment between different ventilation modes (spontaneous breathing support to complete mechanical ventilation) by simply varying fan speed and control parameters. This dynamic capability allows a single device design to adapt to different clinical situations and patient needs without requiring application-specific hardware configurations
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 solution achieves a cost-effective, simplified, and automated ventilation system with reduced power consumption, capable of operating independently and effectively supporting patients from spontaneous breathing to complete respiratory insufficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The radial fan is configured to receive ventilation air at an inlet opening and to provide the ventilation air with an adjustable ventilation pressure at an outlet opening
Data Source
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AI summary
A ventilation apparatus (100) for ventilating a person comprises: - a centrifugal fan (10), which has an inlet opening (11) and an outlet opening (12), the centrifugal fan (10) being designed to receive ventilation air at the inlet opening (11) and to provide the ventilation air at an adjustable ventilation pressure at the outlet opening (12); - a first respiration line, which has a first end (21) connected to the inlet opening (11) of the centrifugal fan (10) and a second end (22) arranged for receiving inhalation air; - a second respiration line (30), which has a first end (31) connected to the outlet opening (12) of the centrifugal fan (10) and a second end (32) designed for coupling a filter device (60) and for coupling a ventilation mask (110), the second respiration line (30) being equipped with a sensor device (40), by means of which at least one flow parameter can be measured in the second respiration line (30); and - a control device (50) for controlling the centrifugal fan (10) according to at least one output signal of the sensor device (40); wherein the centrifugal fan (10) and the second respiration line (30) form a continuous bidirectional flow path; wherein the adjustable ventilation pressure at the outlet opening (12) of the centrifugal fan (10) comprises an inhalation pressure or an exhalation pressure, which is less than or equal to the inhalation pressure; and wherein the second respiration line (30) is equipped with a filter device (60) for air flow filtering. The invention also relates to a control method for controlling a centrifugal fan (10) and a method for operating the ventilation apparatus.