Ventilation Device with EIT and Gas Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventilation devices do not adequately account for changes in oxygen supply and carbon dioxide levels when adjusting ventilation settings, leading to insufficient monitoring and regulation of lung ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation device equipped with sensors for non-invasive determination of electrical impedance, carbon dioxide, and oxygen supply, which uses these measurements to automatically adjust ventilation patterns to optimize lung ventilation and gas exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ventilation monitoring is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of ventilation assessment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (EIT sensors for electrical impedance, CO2 sensors for carbon dioxide measurement, and O2 sensors for oxygen measurement) into a single integrated ventilation monitoring system. This merging approach allows simultaneous acquisition of multiple ventilation parameters without requiring separate monitoring devices, thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation monitoring device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal system that can measure electrical impedance, carbon dioxide levels, and oxygen levels simultaneously. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple monitoring functions, enhancing the comprehensiveness of ventilation assessment without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If real-time ventilation adjustment is implemented, then reliability of patient care is improved, but device complexity and control system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where sensor measurements of electrical impedance, CO2 levels, and O2 levels are continuously monitored and fed back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the ventilation parameters are automatically adjusted in real-time to maintain optimal gas exchange, thereby improving patient care reliability through continuous adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system incorporates self-service capabilities through automated control algorithms that independently analyze sensor data and adjust ventilation settings without requiring constant manual intervention. The system monitors its own performance metrics and makes self-regulated adjustments to maintain optimal ventilation, reducing the burden on healthcare professionals while ensuring reliable patient care.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor devices are integrated, then measurement precision and comprehensive monitoring are improved, but ease of operation and device simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor devices measuring electrical impedance, CO2, and O2 levels are merged into a single integrated monitoring system with unified data processing and display. This consolidation presents comprehensive ventilation information through a single user interface, maintaining measurement precision while simplifying operation for healthcare professionals by eliminating the need to manage and correlate data from multiple separate devices.
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
Enables continuous, real-time monitoring and adjustment of ventilation settings, preventing complications and reducing the need for costly patient transports by ensuring optimal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, thereby improving patient care.
Implementation Method 1
In electrical impedance tomography (EIT), weak alternating currents flow through the body along paths of least resistance, generating electrical voltages on the surface. The measured surface voltages depend on the impedance (resistance) distribution within the thorax.
Implementation Method 2
The sensor device (30) is designed for use with a ventilator (1) and is designed to non-invasively determine a carbon dioxide supply (46).
Implementation Method 3
The sensor device (40) is designed for use with a ventilator (1) and is designed to non-invasively determine an oxygen supply (47).
Data Source
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AI summary
A ventilation device (10) comprising at least one ventilator (1) with at least one controllable breathing gas source (100) and a programmable control unit (21) and at least one sensor unit (2) for determining the pressure and/or flow of the breathing gas, wherein the control unit (21) controls the breathing gas source to specify a first ventilation pattern (45) (with respect to pressure, flow, volume, frequency), wherein the ventilation device has at least two further sensor units (3, 30, 40) wherein one sensor unit (3) comprises a plurality of individual sensors (3, 3', 3" ...) comprising the sensor devices configured for generating and/or measuring electrical potentials and configured for non-invasive determination of the electrical impedance (EI) of a patient's lungs, wherein the second sensor device (30) is configured for non-invasive determination of the carbon dioxide supply, wherein the third sensor device (40) is configured for non-invasive determination of the patient's oxygen supply, characterized in that the control device (21) evaluates the sensor readings of the EI sensor device (3) to determine the instantaneous ventilation (44) of the lungs during ventilation with the first ventilation pattern (45), wherein the control device (21) evaluates the sensor readings of the second sensor device (30) to determine the instantaneous carbon dioxide supply (46), and wherein the control device (21) evaluates the sensor readings of the third sensor device (40) to determine the instantaneous oxygen supply (47).