Respiratory Therapy Apparatus High Flow Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for determining compliance with high flow therapy are inaccurate due to the unsealed nature of the patient interface, which complicates the detection of therapy usage in respiratory devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that analyze flow rate and pressure signals to identify significant oscillations within the breathing rate frequency band, indicating the use of high flow therapy, and a servo-controlled blower system with transducers and a processor to generate an indication of therapy usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an unsealed patient interface is used for high flow therapy, then patient comfort and ease of operation are improved, but measurement precision of therapy usage detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidtherapy usage detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection method that uses oscillation signals as a mediator to indirectly determine therapy usage. Instead of directly measuring flow rate through the unsealed interface, the system detects oscillations in the flow signal that serve as an intermediary indicator of patient breathing and therapy engagement, thereby resolving the measurement precision problem while maintaining the unsealed interface design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical flow measurement with signal processing and oscillation detection. Instead of relying on traditional flow sensors that directly measure air flow through the unsealed interface, the system uses computational methods to analyze oscillations in the flow signal, substituting mechanical measurement with electronic signal analysis to achieve accurate detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If conventional compliance determination methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of therapy compliance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance determination systemVSAvoidcompliance determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors flow rate signals, detects oscillations, and uses this information to determine therapy compliance. The oscillation detection provides feedback about patient breathing patterns and therapy usage, enabling accurate compliance determination without requiring complex additional hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from direct flow rate measurement to oscillation frequency analysis. By transforming the flow signal and analyzing oscillations within a breathing rate frequency band, the system achieves accurate compliance determination using relatively simple processing methods rather than complex measurement systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250018138A1Respiratory therapy apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 RESMED PTY LTD

AI summary

A method, such as in a controller associated with a respiratory therapy device, determines whether high flow therapy is being used by a patient. The method may include determining whether a property of a flow of air being delivered by a respiratory therapy device along an air circuit to an unsealed patient interface contains a significant oscillation within a breathing rate frequency band. The method may also include generating, dependent on the determination, an indication of whether high flow therapy is being used by the patient.