Respiratory Airpath Acoustic Identification Without Added Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapy systems face challenges in accurately identifying components, such as patient interfaces, due to the complexity and cost associated with sensors and transducers, which can increase design, testing, and manufacturing costs, and may lead to incompatibility issues and environmental waste.
Innovation Solution
The use of acoustic analysis to identify components by processing sound signals from the air circuit, including a dampening structure to reduce reflections and a controller to process acoustic signatures, allowing for accurate identification of components like patient interfaces and air circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors and transducers are used for component identification, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex sensors and transducers with acoustic analysis of existing air circuit components. The system uses the natural acoustic properties of air flowing through the circuit to identify components, eliminating the need for additional sensing hardware while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates acoustic signatures that serve as identifiers for different components. By analyzing the acoustic response of air flow through various components (patient interfaces, air circuits), the system generates unique acoustic fingerprints that enable component identification without physical sensors on each component.
2Measurement precision
If sensors and transducers are used for component identification, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive sensors and transducers with acoustic analysis of existing air circuit components. The system uses the natural acoustic properties of air flowing through the circuit to identify components, eliminating the need for additional sensing hardware while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats acoustic analysis as a disposable, low-cost identification method. Rather than investing in expensive reusable sensors, the system uses inexpensive acoustic processing to achieve component identification, reducing overall manufacturing costs.
3Measurement precision
If sensors and transducers are used for component identification, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to incompatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal acoustic identification system that works across different component types and manufacturers. By analyzing acoustic signatures rather than relying on specific sensor readings, the system can identify and adapt to various patient interfaces and air circuits without requiring proprietary sensors or complex compatibility protocols.
4Measurement precision
If sensors and transducers are used for component identification, then measurement precision is improved, but environmental impact increases due to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical sensors and transducers with acoustic analysis, eliminating the manufacturing, disposal, and environmental impact associated with electronic sensing components. The system uses the natural acoustic properties of air flow, requiring no additional materials or hardware that would contribute to electronic waste.
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
This method reduces costs, simplifies implementation, enhances compatibility, and minimizes environmental impact while providing improved component identification and therapy effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a dampening structure configured to reduce reflection of sound from the pressure generator along the air circuit
Implementation Method 2
The output cepstrum may then be used to identify the component
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method in a processor associated with a respiratory therapy device for identifying a component of an airpath coupled to the respiratory therapy device, the method comprising: processing a sound signal representing a sound in the airpath to obtain a spectrum; separating an acoustic signature from the spectrum; and comparing the acoustic signature to a set of predetermined acoustic signatures corresponding to respective components. The method further comprises identifying the component based on the comparison of the acoustic signature to the set. The processing comprises flattening a spectrum of the sound signal; and/or the method further comprises repeating the processing and separating at least once to generate multiple acoustic . signatures, and combining the multiple acoustic signatures into a combined acoustic signature, wherein the comparing compares the combined acoustic signature with the set of predetermined acoustic signatures.