Systems and methods for adjusting user position using multi-compartment bladders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for treating sleep-related respiratory disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, often require adjusting a user's position during sleep to prevent events like snoring and apneas, but existing methods are inefficient in automatically modifying the user's position to optimize airway clearance and reduce pressure requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a respiratory device, a sensor, a multi-compartment bladder, and a control system that directs pressurized air from the respiratory device to the bladder to adjust the user's position by inflating or deflating specific compartments, thereby modifying the user's head position to open the airway and reduce air leakage, thereby aiding in preventing or reducing sleep-related respiratory events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressurized air is supplied to the user interface during a sleep session, then the airway is kept open to prevent respiratory events, but the system cannot automatically adjust user position to optimize airway clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The respiratory device is enhanced with a multi-compartment bladder system that allows it to perform both respiratory support and positional adjustment functions. The bladder can be selectively inflated in different compartments to tilt the head and optimize airway clearance, while the device continues to supply pressurized air to keep the airway open, thus combining multiple functions in one system
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-compartment bladder acts as an intermediary mechanism between the respiratory device and the user's head position. By inflating specific compartments, the bladder gently tilts the head to optimize airway clearance without requiring direct mechanical manipulation of the user, thus automating position adjustment while maintaining comfort
2Reliability
If the user's head position is adjusted to open the airway, then airway clearance is improved, but the system requires complex mechanical structures to achieve position changes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex mechanical structures, the system uses pneumatic pressure through the multi-compartment bladder to adjust head position. By selectively inflating compartments with pressurized air, the bladder creates gentle tilting forces that optimize airway clearance. This pneumatic approach replaces complex mechanical actuators, motors, and linkages with a simpler inflatable bladder system
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is divided into multiple independent compartments that can be inflated or deflated separately. This segmentation allows precise control over head position by activating only the necessary compartments, rather than requiring a single complex mechanical structure to achieve the same positional adjustment
3Ease of operation
If a single bladder is used for position adjustment, then the structure is simple, but the system lacks the ability to make precise positional adjustments in different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is segmented into multiple independent compartments arranged to provide support in different directions. Each compartment can be independently controlled, allowing the system to make precise positional adjustments by selectively inflating or deflating specific compartments. This segmentation provides directional control without requiring a single complex mechanical adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments of the bladder are positioned to provide localized support at specific areas. By inflating a particular compartment, the system applies pressure locally to achieve a specific positional adjustment. This local quality control enables precise directional adjustments while keeping each individual compartment structurally simple
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 system effectively adjusts the user's position to improve airway clearance, reduce the severity of sleep-related respiratory events, and decrease the required air pressure, enhancing the efficacy of respiratory therapy by using the multi-compartment bladder to tilt or reposition the head during sleep.
Implementation Method 1
causing pressurized air to be directed from a respiratory device to a multi-compartment bladder to aid in moving a position of a head of the user
Implementation Method 2
direct pressurized air from the respiratory device to the bladder to adjust the user's position by inflating or deflating specific compartments
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving data associated with a sleep session of a user. The method also includes determining that the user is experiencing or has experienced an event based at least in part on the data. The method also includes causing pressurized air to be directed from a respiratory device to a multi-compartment bladder in response to determining that the user is experiencing or has experienced the event to aid in modifying a position of a head of the user.