Respiratory Therapy Conduit With Flexible PCB Control Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapy systems face challenges in improving the exchange of information between components, user interaction, and functionality, leading to discomfort and non-compliance due to inadequate communication and limited integration of components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a breathable gas delivery conduit with a control circuit, wireless transceiver, and integrated controllers to detect and communicate with accessories, allowing for improved data exchange and control of parameters such as temperature and humidity, enhancing user comfort and compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wired electronics are placed inside the balloon cushion of a BIPAP device, then control functionality is integrated, but the device becomes difficult to clean and maintain due to the balloon's aeration holes and irregular shape
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is extracted from the interior of the balloon cushion and relocated to the exterior surface. This allows the balloon to maintain its aeration holes and irregular shape for therapeutic function while the controller is positioned where it can be easily accessed for cleaning and maintenance without interfering with the balloon's air-permeable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible printed circuit board is used as an intermediary substrate to mount the controller components on the exterior of the balloon. This flexible PCB allows the electronics to be positioned on the curved outer surface while maintaining electrical connections, solving the conflict between integrated control and ease of cleaning.
2Ease of operation
If the device uses a balloon cushion with aeration holes for patient comfort, then patient interface quality is improved, but placing electronics inside creates contamination risks and cleaning difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is extracted from the contaminated interior environment of the balloon cushion and placed on the clean exterior surface. This eliminates the risk of electronic contamination from patient contact and sweat while maintaining the balloon's aeration holes for patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into two distinct zones: the interior balloon cushion with aeration holes for patient comfort, and the exterior controller housing for electronics. This spatial segmentation separates the therapeutic function from the control function, eliminating contamination risks.
3Ease of manufacture
If the controller is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board on the exterior surface, then cleaning and maintenance become easier, but the integration and wiring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible printed circuit board is used to mount the controller on the curved exterior surface of the balloon. This flexible substrate accommodates the irregular shape of the balloon while providing a stable mounting platform for electronics, making the controller accessible for cleaning without increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A respiratory apparatus control device comprising a breathable gas delivery conduit for a respiratory therapy device, the breathable gas delivery conduit adapted to connect to an outlet of an airflow generator of the respiratory therapy device and adapted to connect to a breathable gas inlet of a patient interface; a flexible printed circuit board having a surface bent around a portion of the breathable gas delivery conduit; and a controller mounted to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the controller configured to control a determination of one or more parameters for the respiratory therapy device.