Remote Oxygen Delivery Control via Pneumatic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxygen concentrators for patients with lung diseases are bulky, noisy, and require remote placement, making it difficult for users to adjust oxygen flow levels based on their activity level, leading to suboptimal therapy due to distance from the oxygen source and inability to control flow rates without assistance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a gas source device and a remote delivery device with a control system that allows users to adjust oxygen flow volumes using a handheld device, enabling remote control of oxygen delivery based on pneumatic feedback to match the user's current activity level, supporting both constant and intermittent flow modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If oxygen concentrator is placed remotely to reduce noise and heat impact on user, then user comfort is improved, but user's ability to control flow rates deteriorates due to distance from control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the oxygen delivery system into two separate components: a stationary oxygen concentrator (gas source device) and a portable remote delivery device. This segmentation allows the noisy concentrator to remain in a fixed location while the user carries the control device, resolving the contradiction between remote placement for comfort and proximity for control.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface establishes a pneumatic feedback loop between the remote delivery device and the gas source device. This intermediary communication channel enables the portable device to send control commands and receive feedback about actual flow rates, allowing users to control oxygen flow remotely without being near the concentrator.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extension tubing is used to connect user to remote oxygen source, then user mobility is improved, but control precision deteriorates due to inability to adjust flow rates dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static flow rate control (fixed at the concentrator) to dynamic control (adjustable at the remote device). Users can modify oxygen flow rates in real-time based on their current activity level and needs, maintaining both mobility and control precision through the portable electronic control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the portable device sends control commands to the concentrator and receives feedback about actual flow rates delivered. This closed-loop control ensures precise flow rate adjustment even when the user is mobile and远离 the oxygen source.
3Reliability
If oxygen flow rate is set high to meet needs during ambulation, then oxygen supply adequacy is improved, but nasal drying increases due to excessive flow rates when stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of oxygen flow rates, allowing users to set higher flows during ambulation and lower flows when stationary. This adaptability ensures adequate oxygen supply during activity while preventing nasal drying during rest, resolving the contradiction between reliable supply and minimizing harmful effects.
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
Enables users to remotely and dynamically adjust oxygen flow rates according to their needs, improving therapy efficacy by allowing increased flow during ambulation and reduced flow when stationary, facilitating more comfortable and efficient oxygen delivery.
Implementation Method 1
determines a current control setting of the remote delivery device based on pneumatic feedback from the remote delivery device and modifies a pressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery device
Data Source
AI summary
A system that enables remote adjustment of oxygen flow from an oxygen source includes a gas source device fluidly coupled to a gas source, a remote delivery device with an outlet for providing gas to a user and an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet of the gas source device, wherein the gas source device has a control system. The control system determines a current control setting of the remote delivery device based on pneumatic feedback from the remote delivery device and modifies a pressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery device based on the current control setting of the remote delivery device, so that a target flow volume of supply gas associated with the current control setting is delivered to the inlet.