Sensor assembly for respiratory apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory therapy devices face challenges in providing consistent and comfortable non-invasive ventilation, particularly in managing upper airway stability during sleep and sedation, due to the need for manual titration of EPAP, which is labor-intensive and often ineffective in acute environments.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory therapy apparatus with a sensor module assembly that includes a flow manifold and sensors for automatic adjustment of EPAP, allowing dynamic response to changing upper airway conditions, enhancing comfort and efficacy by integrating pneumatic and electrical components for improved gas delivery and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual titration of EPAP is used, then upper airway stability can be achieved, but the process is labor-intensive and ineffective in acute environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic EPAP titration using integrated sensors and algorithms to self-adjust pressure settings based on detected respiratory events and upper airway status, eliminating the need for manual clinician intervention and enabling effective acute environment management
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors respiratory parameters through integrated sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust EPAP settings, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains upper airway stability without manual intervention
2Reliability
If sensors are integrated into the pneumatic block assembly, then gas delivery and monitoring are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module is physically and functionally integrated into the pneumatic block assembly, combining gas delivery components with monitoring sensors in a unified structure that shares common housing and pneumatic pathways, improving reliability while managing complexity through consolidation
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor module assembly for a respiratory therapy apparatus may be configured for a seal-based securement within a respiratory therapy device that includes a separable pneumatic block to make assembly or replacement more efficient. The sensor module assembly may include a flow manifold. The flow manifold may have an inlet and an outlet and a main pneumatic path between the inlet and the outlet. The assembly may have a sensor module with sensor(s) on a printed circuit board. The sensor module may be pneumatically and fixedly coupled to the flow manifold. The inlet of the flow manifold may be configured for removable coupling with an outlet of the pneumatic block assembly. Moreover, the outlet of the flow manifold may be configured for removable coupling with a pneumatic path of a housing panel of the respiratory therapy apparatus. The pneumatic path is adapted for supplying breathable gas to a patient interface.