Respiratory Power Management Using Breath-Synced Heater Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory treatment devices for conditions like obstructive sleep apnea face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption, particularly during peak operations, which can lead to simultaneous peak power demands from the flow generator and accessory devices like heaters and humidifiers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a controller that offsets peak power operations of the flow generator and accessory devices as a function of the respiratory cycle, prioritizing the flow generator over accessory devices, and using pulse width modulated signals to interleave operations and avoid simultaneous peak power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flow generator and accessory devices (heaters, humidifiers) operate simultaneously at peak power, then the respiratory treatment can be provided with all comfort conditioning features, but the power consumption increases significantly causing power supply challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic action by cycling the operation of accessory devices (heaters, humidifiers) in synchronization with the respiratory cycle. During inspiration phases, accessory devices are activated to provide comfort conditioning, while during expiration phases, they are deactivated or reduced. This periodic on-off cycling ensures that peak power demands are staggered and do not coincide, resolving the contradiction between providing comprehensive comfort features and managing power consumption effectively.
2Speed
If the flow generator operates at peak power during inspiratory rise time, then the required airflow can be delivered to the patient, but simultaneous operation of accessory devices would exceed power supply capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies preliminary action by pre-coordinating the operation timing of accessory devices with the respiratory cycle detection. Before the inspiratory rise time begins, the controller detects the upcoming inspiration phase and schedules accessory device operations to avoid overlapping with the high-power airflow generation period. This advance planning ensures that when the flow generator operates at peak power, accessory devices are either inactive or operating at reduced power levels, preventing power supply exceedance while still maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a respiratory treatment device comprising a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient, an accessory apparatus, a power supply unit, and a controller coupled with the flow generator, the accessory apparatus, and the power supply unit, the controller being configured to control offsetting of peak power operations of the flow generator and the accessory apparatus as a function of detecting a patient respiratory cycle by the respiratory treatment device, wherein the accessory apparatus comprises a heater of a humidifier and a delivery tube heater, and wherein the controller synchronizes powering of each heater to prevent operation of the heaters during an increase in speed of a blower of the flow generator.