Touch Screen Control for Cough Assist Device Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cough assistance devices have cumbersome mechanical control systems that are difficult to use, require significant user attention, and suffer from latency issues, leading to inefficient exsufflation phases and performance degradation during prolonged therapy sessions.

Innovation Solution

A cough assistance device with a digital touch screen control system that uses directional finger movements to instantly switch between insufflation and exsufflation phases, eliminating the need for mechanical toggles or buttons and reducing latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mechanical toggle switch is used for manual control, then the device can be operated manually between insufflation and exsufflation positions, but the control system becomes bulky and requires significant user attention throughout prolonged therapy sessions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual control capabilityVSAvoidmechanical control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical toggle switch with a capacitive touch sensor system. The touch sensor detects finger contact and directional movements (left/right, up/down) to control insufflation and exsufflation phases, eliminating mechanical components while maintaining manual control capability. This substitution reduces device bulkiness and improves ease of operation during prolonged therapy sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a mechanical toggle switch is used for control, then the device can switch between phases, but latency time is introduced causing inefficient exsufflation phases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase switching capabilityVSAvoidlatency time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical toggle switch with inherent latency is replaced by a capacitive touch sensor system that detects finger contact and movement direction instantaneously. The control unit processes touch signals and activates phases without the mechanical inertia and latency present in traditional mechanical switches, thereby reducing time loss and improving exsufflation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If two dedicated buttons or keys are used for control, then the device can trigger insufflation and exsufflation phases, but the user must maintain regular rhythm and significant attention on button activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase activation capabilityVSAvoiduser attention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The two dedicated button system requiring continuous user attention is replaced by a capacitive touch sensor interface that detects finger contact and movement direction. The system automatically interprets left/right movements as insufflation/exsufflation commands without requiring precise button pressing, thereby reducing the cognitive load and attention requirement on the user while maintaining phase activation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If a mechanical toggle switch is used, then the device can be controlled manually, but the control system is not pleasant to use and can injure the user during prolonged therapy sessions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operationVSAvoiduser injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical toggle switch that can cause user injury during prolonged use is replaced by a capacitive touch sensor system. The touch sensor requires only light finger contact to detect and respond to control inputs, eliminating the need for forceful mechanical actuation. This substitution removes the injury risk associated with repeated mechanical switching while maintaining manual control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3622992B1Manual control system for a device for assisting with coughs

Publication Date: 2021.01.27 EOVE

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Figure 3A~3C
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AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for insufflating and exsufflating gas to a patient, i.e., a cough assist device, comprising a display (2), such as a digital screen, including a touch area (3), and control means (4) for controlling a motorized turbine (5). The control means (4) are configured to control the turbine (5) in response to the detection of at least one digital touch by a user on the touch area (3) of the display (2). Preferably, the control means (4) are configured to start the turbine (5) and initiate an insufflation phase of the turbine (5) in response to the detection of movement of the user's finger on said touch area (3) in a first direction of movement, and to initiate an exsufflation phase in the opposite direction.The cough assistance device (1) according to the invention is usable for treating patients suffering from respiratory disorders requiring assistance in the evacuation of pulmonary secretions.