Respiratory Circuit Segmentation for Noise Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional respiratory interface devices with larger hoses are noticeable to users and generate high noise and pressure drops due to increased air velocity, which are undesirable in non-invasive ventilation and pressure support therapies.

Innovation Solution

A respiratory interface device featuring a patient circuit with reduced conduits of smaller diameters, coupled with multiple pressure generating devices, including a primary and secondary pressure generating device, to maintain effective gas flow and pressure while minimizing user awareness and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a larger diameter hose is used in the patient circuit, then the user feels less awareness of the hose during use, but the air velocity increases leading to high noise and high pressure drop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awareness of hoseVSAvoidnoise and pressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patient circuit is divided into two separate conduits: a first conduit connected to the first pressure generating device and a second conduit connected to the second pressure generating device. This segmentation allows each conduit to operate at lower flow rates, reducing air velocity and associated noise and pressure drops while maintaining overall therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges two pressure generating devices to work simultaneously, with each device driving flow through its own conduit. The combined output of both devices achieves the total required flow and pressure at the patient interface, while each individual conduit operates at lower velocity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a smaller diameter hose is used in the patient circuit, then the user awareness of the hose is reduced, but the air velocity increases leading to high noise and high pressure drop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awareness of hoseVSAvoidnoise and pressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patient circuit is divided into two separate conduits: a first conduit connected to the first pressure generating device and a second conduit connected to the second pressure generating device. This segmentation allows each conduit to operate at lower flow rates, reducing air velocity and associated noise and pressure drops while maintaining overall therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges two pressure generating devices to work simultaneously, with each device driving flow through its own conduit. The combined output of both devices achieves the total required flow and pressure at the patient interface, while each individual conduit operates at lower velocity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single pressure generating device is used, then the device complexity is low, but the noise and pressure drop are high due to required higher flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of pressure generating devicesVSAvoidnoise and pressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patient circuit is divided into two separate conduits: a first conduit connected to the first pressure generating device and a second conduit connected to the second pressure generating device. This segmentation allows each conduit to operate at lower flow rates, reducing air velocity and associated noise and pressure drops while maintaining overall therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges two pressure generating devices to work simultaneously, with each device driving flow through its own conduit. The combined output of both devices achieves the total required flow and pressure at the patient interface, while each individual conduit operates at lower velocity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces user awareness and noise while maintaining comparable pressure and flow rates to conventional systems, addressing the issues of bulkiness and noise associated with larger hoses.

Implementation Method 1

The first pressure generating device is structured to generate a first pressure... The first conduit is coupled to, and in fluid communication, with the patient interface device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The second pressure generating device is structured to generate a second pressure... The second conduit is coupled to, and in fluid communication, with the patient interface device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11339770B2Mask with primary and secondary air delivery

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A respiratory interface device is provided. The respiratory interface device includes a patient interface device, a patient circuit, and a pressure generating assembly. Pressure generating assembly includes a first pressure generating device and a second pressure generating device. Patient circuit includes a reduced conduit.