Respiratory pressure therapy device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapies, such as CPAP and NIV, face challenges with patient compliance due to discomfort, difficulty of use, aesthetics, and inefficiencies in noise, size, weight, and data management, while medical air pressure generators lack specialized requirements for medical applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of a Respiratory Pressure Therapy (RPT) device with improved noise reduction, ease of use, and data management, featuring a unique chamber design with inlet and flow tube arrays, a blower positioned downstream, and a U-shaped air flow path, along with a portable and user-friendly design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a blower is positioned in a chamber with inlet and flow tube arrays for respiratory pressure therapy, then noise output is reduced and therapy effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber with inlet tube array, second chamber with flow tube array) to separate different functional zones. This segmentation allows the blower to be positioned in the first chamber while maintaining controlled air flow paths, reducing noise by preventing direct exposure of the blower to the external environment and separating the high-velocity inlet flow from the controlled outlet flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The first chamber acts as an intermediary space between the blower and the external environment. Air is drawn through the inlet tube array into the first chamber, then controlled to flow through the flow tube array into the second chamber before exiting. This intermediary chamber design allows noise reduction while maintaining therapeutic pressure delivery.
2Volume of moving object
If a U-shaped air flow path is implemented with blower positioned downstream, then compact size is achieved, but air flow path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path transitions from a linear arrangement to a U-shaped three-dimensional configuration. The flow path extends from the inlet tube array through the first chamber, bends to flow through the flow tube array into the second chamber, and exits through the housing outlet. This dimensional change allows compact packaging while maintaining effective separation of inlet and outlet flows.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple tubes are arranged in arrays with axial spacing, then noise reduction is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple inlet tubes are combined into an inlet tube array within the first chamber, and multiple flow tubes are combined into a flow tube array within the second chamber. The tubes are axially spaced to create effective noise reduction through distributed flow paths. This merging approach maintains manufacturability by using standardized tube components arranged in systematic patterns.
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
Enhances patient compliance by reducing noise and improving comfort and ease of use, while maintaining a compact size and facilitating effective respiratory therapy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a blower structured and configured to produce a flow of air at positive pressure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention discloses an apparatus for generating a supply of air at positive pressure for the amelioration or treatment of a respiratory disorder, comprising: at least one chamber (8001); a blower (8030) structured and configured to produce a flow of air at positive pressure, wherein the blower is located downstream of the at least one chamber; and a first plate assembly (8050) including a base plate (8051) that defines a wall of the at least one chamber, at least one inlet tube (8055) structured and configured to allow ambient air to enter the at least one chamber, and a blower suspension (8054) to support the blower.