Respiratory Therapy Device Dynamic Control Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Respiratory therapy systems for conditions like cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchitis often require manual intervention, limiting their effectiveness and independence for patients, as existing devices lack dynamic control and diagnostic monitoring capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A respiratory therapy device with dynamic therapy control and diagnostic monitoring capabilities, connected to a computing device via wireless communication, allowing for automated administration of HFCWO and MIE therapy sessions with customizable parameters and real-time diagnostic checks, enabling remote monitoring and notification of potential issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual intervention is used for respiratory therapy, then therapy can be administered, but patient independence is limited and therapy effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient independenceVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The respiratory therapy device enables patients to independently control and monitor their own therapy sessions through wireless communication with mobile devices, eliminating the need for manual caregiver intervention. Patients can adjust therapy parameters, initiate treatment cycles, and receive real-time feedback without human assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device dynamically adjusts therapy parameters in real-time based on patient response and physiological feedback. The system modifies inflation pressure, cycle timing, and oscillation patterns during treatment to optimize effectiveness while maintaining patient autonomy and reducing manual intervention requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If existing respiratory therapy devices are used, then basic therapy delivery is achieved, but dynamic control and diagnostic monitoring capabilities are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy effectivenessVSAvoidcontrol and monitoring capabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates real-time feedback loops where sensors monitor patient physiology and device performance, and this data is transmitted wirelessly to mobile devices for analysis. The therapy parameters are automatically adjusted based on this feedback, improving reliability while managing complexity through automated control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The respiratory therapy device integrates multiple functions including therapy delivery, real-time diagnostics, wireless communication, and remote monitoring within a single platform. This multi-functionality approach consolidates complex capabilities into one unified system rather than requiring separate devices for each function.

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

3Extent of automation

If automated therapy control is implemented, then patient independence improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy automationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses mobile devices as intermediary components between the patient and the therapy device. The mobile application handles complex control logic, data analysis, and user interface functions, allowing the actual therapy device to remain relatively simple while still providing advanced automated control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3165213B1Dynamic control of respiratory therapy devices
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 HILL ROM SERVICES PTE LTD(SG)
  • EP3165213B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3165213B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3165213B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A respiratory therapy device accepts user input information during an initial therapy session such as a total number of therapy cycles to be performed during the therapy session and other therapy parameters for each of the therapy cycles, such as target pressure(s) and frequency setting(s). Thus, some of the parameters are adjusted in real-time by the user during the therapy session. The respiratory therapy device is configured to save the therapy parameters of the therapy session as a preset of the respiratory therapy device. The preset is capable of being used to initiate the administration of the therapy session at a future point in time based on the saved therapy cycles and therapy parameters.