Rotary Ventilator Valves for Flow and Pressure Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilators lack the ability to effectively generate oscillations in flow and pressure for improved respiratory therapy, particularly in non-invasive and invasive ventilation and cough support, both in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings.
Innovation Solution
A ventilator design incorporating a switching valve and an oscillating valve in the gas line, where the oscillating valve varies flow resistance by stepwise opening and closing, causing oscillations of flow and pressure, with a rotary valve body and motor to control gas flow between the patient and ambient air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing ventilator designs are used, then the basic ventilation function is provided, but the ability to generate oscillations in flow and pressure is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into two distinct functional valves: a switching valve with two positions (insufflation/exsufflation) and an oscillating valve with multiple positions (at least three positions including pause). This segmentation allows each valve to specialize in specific functions, enabling oscillation generation while maintaining clear functional separation and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating valve is designed with multi-position capability (at least three positions) that allows it to perform multiple functions: creating pause phases by blocking patient line connections, generating oscillations through partial openings, and controlling gas flow distribution. This multi-functionality enables a single valve to handle both pause generation and oscillation creation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the oscillating valve stepwise opens and closes to vary flow resistance, then oscillations of flow and pressure are generated, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating valve is designed as a rotary valve with a rotatable valve body that can dynamically assume at least three different positions. This dynamic rotational mechanism allows the valve to stepwise open and close, varying flow resistance and generating oscillations through controlled positional changes rather than requiring complex mechanical oscillating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body with its rotatable design acts as an intermediary element between the motor drive and the gas flow control. By rotating the valve body to different positions, the system achieves smooth transition between pause phases and oscillation phases, mediating the control function in a mechanically simple yet functionally effective manner.
3Speed
If the patient line is connected directly to the environment during pause, then rapid pressure relief is achieved, but the valve configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
During the pause phase, the oscillating valve is configured to extract or block the connection between the patient line and the gas source, while simultaneously providing a direct pathway from the patient line to the environment. This extraction of the patient line from the pressurized gas circuit enables rapid pressure relief without requiring complex additional valves or pathways.
4Adaptability or versatility
If two valves are used in the gas line, then insufflation and exsufflation control is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independently controllable valves with distinct functions: the switching valve handles the fundamental insufflation/exsufflation switching, while the oscillating valve handles pause generation and oscillation creation. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, potentially reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the increased component count.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design allows for rapid relief of patients, larger pressure amplitudes, and precise oscillation adjustment, enhancing respiratory therapy efficacy and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the other valve is an oscillating valve and operates in such a way that the flow resistance in the gas line between the blower and the patient can be varied by stepwise opening and closing of the valve, thereby causing oscillations of flow and pressure
Implementation Method 2
the oscillating valve is designed as a rotary valve with a rotary valve body, a motor and with openings in several planes in a valve housing, wherein in a switching state pause, a rotation of the rotary valve body releases the opening with an opening to the environment and allows a gas flow or a pressure reduction to the environment
Implementation Method 3
a correspondingly high pressure is applied by the blower for a defined period of time for insufflation, and then the switching valve and/or the blower switches to exsufflation, whereby the pressure is reduced to a correspondingly negative level
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a ventilator with a gas source, at least one gas path and a patient line and at least two valves, wherein each of the valves has at least an indirect connection to the ambient air and wherein each of the valves is at least temporarily connected to the gas source and/or the patient line in a gas-conducting manner.