Respirator Valve Control for Peak Flow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respirator and anesthesia devices face challenges in accurately determining and regulating the percentage of peak respiratory flow, leading to potential lung emptying and health hazards due to system delays and valve response times.
Innovation Solution
A process that initiates a respiration process when a measured respiratory flow reaches a set percentage of peak respiratory flow, with a delayed effect to account for system inertia, ensuring the actual percentage matches the set percentage by calculating and adjusting for delays and deviations, thereby preventing excessive lung emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pressure release is terminated when the measured expiratory flow drops below a set percentage of peak expiratory flow, then the duration of pressure release can be automatically adapted to changes in the lungs, but system delays and valve response times cause the actual closing value to be markedly below the set value, leading to excessive lung emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by initiating the respiration process (opening the expiration valve) before the measured flow actually reaches the set percentage threshold. By calculating and compensating for system delays and valve response times, the system predicts when the flow will reach the threshold and triggers the valve opening in advance, ensuring the actual flow percentage at valve actuation matches the intended set value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the measured flow, comparing it with the calculated actual flow (which accounts for system delays), and using this information to determine the precise moment for valve actuation. This closed-loop approach ensures that despite system delays, the valve opens/closes at the correct physiological moment when flow reaches the desired percentage.
2Extent of automation
If valve closing or opening actions are performed based on measured flow thresholds, then respiration control can be automated, but time delays in signal transmission and valve response cause the actual flow percentage to deviate from the set value
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the delay time and uses this to trigger valve actions in advance. By determining how long the system takes to respond and actuate valves, the control algorithm compensates by initiating actions before the delay would cause missed timing, thus maintaining accurate flow percentage control despite automation delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation layer that acts as a mediator between the measured flow signal and the valve control signal. This intermediary component calculates the actual flow percentage by accounting for system delays, creating a virtual signal that bridges the time gap between measurement and actuation, thereby synchronizing control actions with actual physiological conditions.
3Reliability
If the pressure release duration is shortened to prevent complete lung emptying, then alveoli collapse is prevented, but the ability to eliminate CO2 is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the pressure release termination criterion based on the actual flow percentage. Instead of using fixed time durations or arbitrary flow thresholds, the system continuously monitors and determines when the actual expiratory flow reaches the set percentage of peak flow, thereby adaptively optimizing the balance between preventing alveoli collapse and maintaining CO2 elimination efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A process for operating a respirator and/or an anesthesia device with measurement of a set percent Peak Expiratory Flow (% PEF) (15) or percent Peak Inspiratory Flow (% PIF) and regulation of the measured % PEF (15) or % PIF to the set % PEF (15) or % PIF. Furthermore, a suitable respirator and/or anesthesia device are provided.