Respiratory Device Control for Mechanical Cough Secretion Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MIE) devices require patients to be disconnected from mechanical ventilation, making it inefficient and potentially causing retrograde displacement of secretions in the airway during cough assistance.

Innovation Solution

A system with a respiratory device capable of delivering fluid in a mechanical cough mode, where the controller issues commands to maintain a substantially constant or gradually increasing flow rate during the insufflation phase, reducing the likelihood of retrograde secretion displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional MIE devices are used for cough assistance, then cough support function is provided, but patient must be disconnected from mechanical ventilation causing loss of time and potential retrograde displacement of secretions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of retrograde displacement of secretionsVSAvoidtime for disconnecting and reconnecting patient

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mechanical ventilation function and the MIE cough assistance function into a single integrated device. The respiratory device can deliver both ventilatory breaths and mechanical cough maneuvers through the same circuit without requiring patient disconnection, thereby eliminating the time loss and risk of retrograde secretion displacement associated with switching between separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The respiratory device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both conventional mechanical ventilation and mechanical insufflation-exsufflation for cough assistance. The device includes multiple modes of operation that can be selected based on patient needs, allowing it to serve as both a ventilator and an MIE device through integrated control circuits and flow generation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If high flow rate is delivered during insufflation phase, then cough assistance effectiveness is improved, but retrograde displacement of secretions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecough assistance effectivenessVSAvoidretrograde displacement of secretions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of the insufflation flow rate, starting at a low initial rate that gradually increases to a peak and then decreases. This dynamic flow profile is controlled through a circuit with variable resistance that changes over time during the insufflation phase, allowing the system to achieve effective cough assistance while minimizing retrograde displacement of secretions by avoiding abrupt high flow rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the flow rate parameter over time during the insufflation phase, transitioning from a low initial flow rate to a higher peak flow rate and then back down. This parameter change is achieved through electronic control of the circuit resistance, which modulates the flow characteristics to balance cough effectiveness with secretion protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250032734A1Control schemes for mechanical cough

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 VENTEC LIFE SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

This disclosure relates to control schemes for a system including mechanical cough functionality, and corresponding methods. Among other benefits, this disclosure reduces if not eliminates retrograde displacement of secretions within a patient's airway during a mechanical cough mode.