Ultrasonic Respiratory Device Sensor Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Respiratory drug delivery devices, such as nebulizers, face challenges in accurately controlling ultrasonic components, which affects treatment outcomes and patient adherence due to variations in operating conditions and adherence monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a respiratory medicament delivery device that emits ultrasonic energy, a sensor to generate output signals representing ultrasonic energy characteristics, and computer program modules to determine a spectral parameter indicating energy amplitude, allowing for real-time adjustment and monitoring of device operation and patient adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ultrasonic components are used in respiratory drug delivery devices, then aerosol generation efficiency is improved, but control accuracy deteriorates due to variations in operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors ultrasonic energy emission characteristics and adjusts operating parameters accordingly. Sensors detect variations in ultrasonic output, and this information feeds back to the control system to maintain consistent aerosol generation despite changes in operating conditions such as temperature, viscosity, or device wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts ultrasonic operating parameters (frequency, power, pulse duration) based on real-time feedback to compensate for variations in operating conditions. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system maintains optimal aerosol generation efficiency while compensating for drift in ultrasonic component performance.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring of ultrasonic energy is implemented, then device operation control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor ultrasonic energy characteristics and feed this information back to a control system. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustment of operating parameters to maintain reliable device operation and detect issues such as component degradation or improper usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed to automatically detect and respond to operational issues without requiring external intervention. The device self-diagnoses problems such as ultrasonic component failure or improper patient usage by analyzing its own operational parameters, reducing the need for complex external monitoring infrastructure.
3Loss of information
If spectral parameter analysis is performed on ultrasonic energy, then patient adherence monitoring is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs spectral analysis at selected frequency ranges rather than analyzing the entire ultrasonic spectrum. By focusing on specific characteristic frequencies or frequency bands that are most indicative of proper device operation and patient adherence, the system achieves effective monitoring with reduced measurement precision requirements compared to full-spectrum analysis.
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 controls and monitors the operation of respiratory drug delivery devices, ensuring optimal treatment outcomes by adjusting ultrasonic energy emission based on real-time feedback, thereby improving patient adherence and device performance.
Implementation Method 1
The respiratory medicament delivery device emits ultrasonic energy during operation
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is configured to generate output signals representing one or more characteristics of the ultrasonic energy emitted by the respiratory medicament delivery device
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for delivering medicament to a subject use one or more sensors to generate signals that represent characteristics of the ultrasonic energy emitted by a respiratory medicament delivery device during operation. Parameters based on these signals indicate energy amplitude in one or more frequency ranges. Such parameters can be used to control and/or monitor device operation and/or patient adherence.