Respiratory Therapy Device Synchronizing Breathing with Heart Rate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current respiratory therapy devices do not effectively improve heart rate variability and coherence by aligning breathing patterns with heart rate patterns, limiting their ability to provide optimal respiratory support and health benefits.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a pressure generator, sensors, and processors that adjust gas parameters to provide breathing cues, determining target breathing rates and phases aligned with heart rate variability, guiding the subject to breathe within a specific range and phase to enhance heart rate coherence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If respiratory therapy devices deliver pressurized breathable gas to the airway, then respiratory support is provided, but heart rate variability and coherence are not effectively improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheart rate coherenceVSAvoidbreathing pattern alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the subject's heart rate and breathing patterns, then uses this feedback to dynamically adjust gas delivery parameters. The processor compares actual breathing patterns with target patterns and modifies pressurized gas delivery accordingly to promote heart rate coherence and variability improvement over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static, fixed-pressure respiratory therapy to dynamic, adaptive therapy where gas delivery parameters continuously change based on real-time physiological monitoring. The pressurized gas delivery is modulated in response to detected heart rate and breathing pattern variations, enabling the system to adapt to the subject's changing physiological state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If gas parameters are adjusted to provide breathing cues, then breathing patterns can be aligned with heart rate patterns, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheart rate coherenceVSAvoidsystem components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The respiratory therapy device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it delivers pressurized breathable gas for respiratory support, monitors heart rate and breathing patterns, processes physiological data, and dynamically adjusts gas delivery parameters. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the gas delivery mechanism, physiological sensors, data processing unit, and control algorithm into an integrated respiratory therapy system. The processor serves as a central hub that coordinates gas delivery adjustments based on combined analysis of heart rate and breathing pattern data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2854917B1Improving heart rate coherence using respiratory therapy devices
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2854917B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2854917B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2854917B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for improving the heart rate coherence and/or heart rate variability of a subject use a respiratory therapy device to provide breathing cues that prompt a subject to breathe such that various respiratory and coronary parameters are aligned, for example in phase.