Variable Rigidity Exoskeleton for Non-Invasive Cough Assistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients with spinal cord injuries, especially those with cervical SCI, face significant challenges in coughing and expectoration due to weakened expiratory muscle strength, leading to impaired airway clearance and increased risk of respiratory complications, with current solutions like tracheostomy being invasive and causing additional health issues.

Innovation Solution

An exoskeleton robot system comprising a respiratory sensor, positive pressure module, and negative pressure module, controlled by a module that adjusts based on respiratory signals to assist in inhalation and exhalation, using a soft drive device and rigidity-variable housing to enhance coughing and expectoration abilities without invasion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tracheostomy is performed to remove sputum, then airway clearance ability is improved, but patient quality of life deteriorates due to inability to speak and swallow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway clearance abilityVSAvoidquality of life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tracheostomy system with a pneumatic exoskeleton system that uses positive and negative pressure modules to assist coughing and expectoration, thereby maintaining airway clearance while preserving the patient's natural airway and ability to speak and swallow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a pneumatic exoskeleton as an intermediary device between the patient's respiratory system and the external environment, providing mechanical assistance for coughing without requiring direct invasion of the airway, thus maintaining both airway clearance and quality of life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If tracheostomy is performed to assist expectoration, then coughing ability is improved, but complications increase due to long-term use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpectoration abilityVSAvoidcomplications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the invasive tracheostomy mechanical system with a non-invasive pneumatic exoskeleton that applies external pressure to assist coughing, eliminating complications associated with long-term tracheostomy tube use such as catheter prolapse, soft tissue infection, and tracheal dilatation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of weakened expiratory muscle strength into a beneficial outcome by using the pneumatic exoskeleton to provide the missing cough force, thereby improving expectoration ability without the harmful complications of tracheostomy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If rigid housing is used for negative pressure module, then structural strength is improved, but wearing comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidwearing comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies variable rigidity technology to the housing of the negative pressure module, allowing it to dynamically adjust its rigidity: rigid when negative pressure is applied to maintain structural strength, and soft when not in use to ensure wearing comfort, thus resolving the contradiction between structural strength and comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 exoskeleton robot provides non-invasive, efficient, and intelligent cough assistance, enhancing respiratory function exercise and expectoration ability, reducing the risk of respiratory complications while maintaining physiological compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

a closed cavity is formed between a housing of the negative pressure module and the outer wall of the thoracic cavity of the user to be assisted; the closed cavity being a negative pressure cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

the positive pressure module is configured to cover an upper abdomen of the user to be assisted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20230210711A1Exoskeleton robot for expectoration assistance and control method

Publication Date: 2023.07.06 BEIHANG UNIV

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an exoskeleton robot for expectoration assistance and a control method. In the exoskeleton robot, a respiratory sensor acquires a respiratory signal of a user to be assisted; a positive pressure module covers an upper abdomen of the user to be assisted; a negative pressure module is arranged on an outer wall of a thoracic cavity of the user to be assisted and wraps the whole thoracic cavity, and a negative pressure cavity is formed between a housing of the negative pressure module and the outer wall of the thoracic cavity; in an inhalation state, the rigidity of the housing of the negative pressure module increases; in an exhalation state, the rigidity of the housing of the negative pressure module decreases; the control module is respectively connected with the respiratory sensor, the positive pressure module, and the negative pressure module.